Primary Radiotherapy Versus Primary Surgery for HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer

The goal of this randomized treatment de-escalation study is to formally compare outcomes in HPV related oropharyngeal cancer tumors treated with a primary radiotherapy versus a primary surgical approach, to provide a high level of evidence to guide the selection of treatment options for a subsequent phase III trial

The study will compare overall survival rates relative to historical controls for de-intensified primary radiotherapy [60 GY +/- chemotherapy] versus transoral surgery (TOS) and neck dissection [+/- adjuvant 50Gy radiotherapy] in patients with early T-stage HPV-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and to compare quality of life (QOL) profiles.

The study will require a sample size of 140 patients randomized in a 1:1 ratio between the two arms. Arm 1 (radiotherapy +/1 chemotherapy) and Arm 2 (TOS)

Patients will be followed for a total of 5 years

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 years or older
• willing to provide informed consent
• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma
• P16 positive, or HPV positive
• Primary tumor site in the oropharynx (includes tonsil, soft palate, base of tongue, walls of oropharynx)
• Eligible for curative intent treatment, with likely negative resection margins at surgery. For patients where adequate transoral access is in question, they will first undergo an examination under anesthesia prior to randomization to ensure adequate exposure can be obtained.
• Smokers and non-smokers are included. Patients will be stratified by ,<10 pack years smoking history versus > or equal to 10 pack years.
• Tumor stage (AJCC 8th edition): T1 or T2
• Nodal stage (AJCC 8th edition): N0, N1, or N2
• For patients who may require chemotherapy (ie, patients with multiple lymph nodes positive or a single node more than 3 cm in size, in any plane, CBC/differential within 4 weeks prior to randomization with adequate bone marrow function, hepatic, and renal function defined as: Hemoglobin ≥ 80 g/L; Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 x 10 9/L, platelets ≥ 100 x 10 9/L, bilirubin ≤ 35 umol/L, AST or ALT ≤ 3 x the upper limit of normal; serum creatinine ≤ 130 umol/L or creatinine clearance ≥ 50 ml/min
• patients assessed at head and neck multidisciplinary clinic (with assessment by radiation oncologist and surgeon) and presented at multidisciplinary tumor board prior to randomization

Exclusion criteria

• unambiguous clinical or radiological evidence of extranodaal extension on pre-treatment imaging. This includes the presence of matted notes, defined as 3 or more nodes that are abutting with loss of intervening fat planes
• Serious medical comorbidities or other contraindications to radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery
• prior history of head and neck cancer within 5 years
• prior head and neck radiation at any time
• metastatic disease
• inability to attend full course of radiotherapy or follow up visits
• prior invasive malignant disease unless disease-free for at least 5 years or more, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer
• pregnant or lactating women