A Phase II Study of Post-Resection Radiation Dose and Treatment Site De-Escalation for Favorable Prognosis Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or p16-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether for intermediate-risk patients who have undergone Transoral Robotic Surgery for HPV/p16(+) oropharyngeal cancer and have minimal smoking history, whether these patients can be treated with a lower-than standard dose, with omission of the primary site in the oropharynx. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does radiotherapy site and dose-de-escalation lead to similar outcomes compared to historical data on tumor control in patients who are treated with standard radiation doses and treatment fields? Participants will: Undergo treatment with a lower than standard radiation dose (50Gy in 25 fractions, with either Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or proton beam therapy) and to a smaller than standard radiation field (to the neck only, excluding the original site of tumor in the oropharynx)
• Patients must be ≥ 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent.
• Patients must have a diagnosis of p16+ and/or HPV+ squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (including base of tongue, glossotonsilar sulcus, tonsil, soft palate, vallecula, and/or posterior oropharyngeal wall).
• pathologic stage T1-2 N1 M0 (AJCC 8th ed.) stage I or T3 N0-1 M0 stage II (AJCC 8th ed.) SCCA of the oropharynx, with ≤ 5 distinct nodes involved with tumor, ≤ 2mm ECE (extracapsular extension), ≥ 2mm surgical margins at primary site.
• Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 60 within 8 weeks prior to registration.
• neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio ≤ 5 within 8 weeks of registration.
• hemoglobin count ≥ 10 within 8 weeks of registration. The patient may receive transfusion to reach this goal.
• current non-smoker (at least 6 months) with ≤ 15 pack-year smoking history
• start radiation within 8 weeks of resection (6 weeks preferable)
• have undergone resection of the primary site with Transoral Surgery and neck dissection of at least the ipsilateral neck
• Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and for 90 days following completion of therapy. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
• Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent.