Radiotherapy vs. Trans-Oral Surgery for HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older

• Willing to provide informed consent

• ECOG performance status 0-2

• Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma

• HPV-negative tumor, as determined by: negative p16 status, real time PCR or in-situhybridization. Central confirmation is not required prior to randomization.Equivocal/uncertain HPV status will be allowed on trial.

• Primary tumor site in the oropharynx (includes tonsil, soft palate, base of tongue,walls of oropharynx)

• Tumor stage: T1 or T2, with likely negative resection margins at surgery

• Nodal stage: N0-3. Patients with positive nodal disease and extranodal extension onimaging may be included at the surgeon's discretion, if the nodal disease is deemedresectable by the operating surgeon.

• Eligible for curative intent treatment, with likely negative resection margins atsurgery. For patients where adequate transoral access is in question, they will firstundergo an examination under anesthesia prior to randomization to ensure adequateexposure can be obtained.

• Blood work obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization, with adequate bone marrowfunction, hepatic, and renal function, as determined by the investigator.

• Patient assessed by a radiation oncologist and surgeon and presented atmultidisciplinary tumor board prior to randomization. If not feasible, case can bediscussed with study Principal Investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious medical comorbidities or other contraindications to radiotherapy, chemotherapyor surgery

• Prior history of head and neck cancer within 5 years

• Prior head and neck radiation at any time

• Metastatic disease

• Inability to attend full course of radiotherapy or follow-up visits

• Prior invasive malignant disease unless disease-free for at least 5 years or more,with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer

• Unable or unwilling to complete QOL questionnaires

• Pregnant or lactating women