Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer: Clinical and Radiologic Characteristics

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has been consistently increasing, now surpassing that of HPV-negative OPC. HPV-positive OPC exhibits distinct clinical characteristics and prognostic implications compared to HPV-negative OPC; occurs more frequently in younger, sexually active individuals; and generally demonstrates more favorable outcomes. Radiologic evaluation is crucial for tumor staging, predicting HPV status, and assessing or forecasting treatment response and patient outcomes. Recently, radiomics has enhanced tumor characterization. This review summarizes the key clinical features of HPV-positive OPC that radiologists should be familiar with and provides an overview of its radiologic characteristics, emphasizing the role of imaging in diagnosis, staging, treatment response assessment, and outcome prediction.