Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A squamous cell carcinoma arising from the oropharynx. It predominantly affects adults in their fifth and sixth decades of life and is associated with alcohol and tobacco use. Human papillomavirus is present in approximately half of the cases. It is characterized by a tendency to metastasize early to the lymph nodes. When the tumor is small, patients are often asymptomatic. Physical examination may reveal erythematous or white lesions or plaques. The majority of patients present with locally advanced disease. Signs and symptoms include mucosal ulceration, pain, bleeding, weight loss, neck swelling, and difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Patients may also present with swollen neck lymph nodes without any symptoms from the oropharyngeal tumor. The most significant prognostic factors are the size of the tumor and the lymph nodes status. (NCI Thesaurus)

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Administration of a drug directly to the mouth and pharynx.

Oropharyngeal Polyp

A benign exophytic growth that arises from the oropharynx.

Oropharyngeal Neoplasm

A benign or malignant neoplasm that affects the oropharynx.

Oropharyngeal Carcinoma by AJCC v7 Stage

A term that refers to the staging of oropharyngeal carcinoma according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 7th edition.

Oropharyngeal Carcinoma by AJCC v6 Stage

A term that refers to the staging of oropharyngeal carcinoma according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 6th edition.

Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

Carcinoma, predominantly squamous cell, arising from the epithelial cells of the oropharynx.