Background: Oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) remains a significant health concern in India, particularly driven by tobacco use. While human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated OPC is increasingly common in Western countries, the Indian clinical landscape presents a distinct pattern. Aim: Evaluation of the clinical presentation, risk factors, treatment modalities, and short-term outcomes of 50 OPC patients treated at a tertiary care center in Delhi over two years. Methods: This is a cohort study on patients diagnosed with OPC between January 2023 and December 2024. Data included demographics, risk exposures, staging, treatment, and follow-up. Results: Of the 50 patients, 76% were male, with a median age of 57 years. Tobacco use was present in 88% of cases. Only 12% of tested cases were HPV-positive. The majority (74%) presented with advanced-stage disease. Most were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (62%), followed by surgery with adjuvant therapy (20%). At a median follow-up of 18 months, the overall response rate was 72%, with 46% achieving complete response. Conclusion: OPC in Delhi is predominantly tobacco-related and often presents at an advanced stage. Chemoradiotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment, though early detection and prevention strategies are essential for improving outcomes.
Arora et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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