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Updated: May 16, 2026
Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis
Published on: June 14, 2019
Changes in Time to Diagnosis of HPV+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Julia Howard1, Shaheryar Asad1, Danielle M Gillard2
1California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, California, USA.
Background:
Timely referral to subspecialty care remains critical for expedited work up and treatment of HPV+ oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPSCC). It is not known if there have been changes in time to diagnosis as the incidence of this disease rises.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study of 312 patients treated for HPV+ OPSCC at a tertiary referral clinic between 2013 and 2022.
Results:
There was a significant difference in time to diagnosis based on year of presentation (p < 0.001). More patients presented with early-stage disease (AJCC 7 Stage I or II) over time (p = 0.002). Presenting symptom (p = 0.021) and patient location ≥ 50 miles from our tertiary referral clinic (p = 0.039) also affected time to diagnosis.
Conclusions:
Time to diagnosis of HPV+ OPSCC changed based on year of presentation, and a higher proportion of patients presented with early-stage disease in more recent years. This may reflect an increased public awareness of HPV+ OPSCC and its symptoms.
