Monitoring of Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) in HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC)

Monitoring of Oral HPV Infection in HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma During and After Chemoradiotherapy (CRT)

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether and when patients with human papilloma virus positive squamous cell cancer of the oropharynx treated with radiation and chemotherapy clear their human papilloma virus infection.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥ 18 years of age (no upper age limit)
2. AnyT, AnyN, M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx
3. Biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma that is HPV positive via standard pathological assessment of tumor tissues in pathology department at the treating institution
4. Scheduled for definitive CRT as primary treatment of their oropharynx cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior history of radiation therapy to the head and neck
2. Prior history of mucosal head and neck cancer.
3. Not willing or able to comply with study specific procedures