Smoking and papillomavirus DNA in patients with p16‐positive N3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: We investigated the survival of patients with a p16‐positive N3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and the prognostic significance of patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients treated at our Cancer Center for a p16‐positive N3 OPSCC between 2003 and 2016. End points were overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). Results: A total of 29 patients were included. The 5‐year OS and PFS were 67.5% and 59.1%, respectively. Smoking history above 10 pack‐years and the absence of human papillomavirus DNA were associated with worse OS (P = .02 and P = .03, respectively) and PFS (P = .02 and P = .02, respectively). Induction chemotherapy or radical neck dissection were not associated with different treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Patients with an N3 p16‐positive oropharyngeal cancer in our series had a 5‐year OS rate of 67.5%. Smoking history and viral DNA were prognostic factors associated with survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]