OTO: Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities and Survival of Human Papillomavirus–Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This podcast highlights original research published in the January 2021 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. The objective was to investigate differences in epidemiology of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with regards to human papillomavirus (HPV), race, and socioeconomic status (SES) using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). In conclusion, significant differences in HPV status exist between socioeconomic and racial groups, with HPV-negative disease more common among blacks and lower SES. When controlling for HPV status, race and SES still influence outcomes in oropharyngeal cancers.   Click here to read the full article.