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Updated: Feb 23, 2026

RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: March 11, 2014
Emerging insights into recurrent and metastatic human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Farhoud Faraji1, David W Eisele1, Carole Fakhry1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland.
Objective:
To review recent literature on human papillomavirus-related (HPV-positive) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPC) and focus on implications of recurrent and metastatic disease.
Methods:
Primary articles from 1990 to 2016 indexed in MEDLINE (1) pertaining to the epidemiology of HPV-positive OPC and (2) providing clinical insight into recurrent and metastatic OPC.
Results:
The incidence of HPV-positive OPC is increasing globally. HPV-positive OPC is a subtype with distinct molecular and clinical features including enhanced treatment response and improved overall survival. While disease recurrence is less common in patients with HPV-positive OPC, up to 36% of patients experience treatment failure within eight years. Recurrent and metastatic OPC has historically signified poor prognosis, however recent data are challenging this dogma. Here, we discuss recurrent and metastatic OPC in the context of HPV tumor status.
Conclusion:
HPV-positive OPC exhibits distinct genetic, cellular, epidemiological, and clinical features from HPV-negative OPC. HPV tumor status is emerging as a marker indicative of improved prognosis after disease progression in both locoregionally recurrent and distant metastatic OPC.
Level Of Evidence:
N/A.
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