HPV infection in oropharyngeal carcinoma: incidence and prognostic impact

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the strongest risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. HPV-associated head-and-neck cancers have a survival advantage and appear to respond better to treatment. To date, no data are available about the incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in Flanders. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and correlate it with treatment outcome and underlying mechanisms.