Cohort study of functional and survival outcomes after primary surgery versus chemoradiation for T1-T2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The differences in functional and survival outcomes for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) undergoing primary transoral robotic suergery (TORS) versus primary radiaton therapy and/or chemoradiation therapy (RT/CRT) are unclear. A multicenter cohort study of 726 T1-T2 OPSCC patients in the USA found that those who underwent primary TORS had an increased risk of short-term dysphagia compared with those who received primary RT/CRT. Patients in the RT/CRT group had an increased risk of short- and long-term gastrostomy tube dependence and worse 5-year overall survival compared with those in the primary TORS group.