Functional Outcome After Treatment for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Functional Outcome After Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) vs Oncological Treatment for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

To investigate the treatment related effects of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) or oncological treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with a 1-year follow up.

Patients are enrolled prospectively at the department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Audiology at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet.

All eligible patients with histologically verified squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx regardless of treatment option (as long as the intent is curative) can be included.

Outcome measures are assessed at baseline and repeated 3 and 12 months after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

TORS group:

1. WHO performance status 0-2
2. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx
3. TNM: T1-2, N0-1 (without of evidence of extra capsular extent), M0.
4. No previous head and neck cancer
5. Absence of factors that inhibit the patient from participate in all or parts of the study e.g. geographical, mental, cognitive or other.
6. Signed written consent.
7. Cancer eligible for surgery in the absence of significant trismus.

Oncological group:

1. WHO performance status 0-2
2. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx
3. Qualified for curative intended oncological treatment
4. Signed written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

TORS group:

1. Serious co-morbidity
2. Distant metastasis
3. Previous radiotherapy to the head and neck region.
4. Concurrent treatment eller investigations for another cancer, except carcinoma in situ.

Oncological group:

1. Previous radiotherapy to the head and neck region.
2. Concurrent treatment eller investigations for another cancer, except carcinoma in situ.
3. Presence of factors that inhibit the patient from participate in all or parts of the study e.g. geographical, mental, cognitive or other.
4. Presence of facors that inhibit the patient from completing the treatment.
5. Previous head and neck cancer
6. Distant metastasis