Does Smoking Influence Outcomes in Human Papillomavirus—Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated with Transoral Robotic Surgery?

Key Points

• Smoking history is linked to advanced nodal stage and extranodal extension in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer.
• Patients who smoke do not show higher rates of cancer recurrence or death after treatment with transoral robotic surgery.
• Analysis of patient outcomes in relation to smoking and HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer was conducted.
• Findings indicate that smoking may affect cancer staging but not treatment outcomes, highlighting the complexity of smoking's role.