Robust Differences in p16‐Dependent Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Distant Metastasis

Abstract

Our large, multi-institutional study supports published reports that p16+ OPSCC metastasizes with a unique phenotype that is hematogenous and widely disseminated with atypical end-organ sites. Our data suggest that p16+ OPSCC has a predilection toward active vasculature invasion as evidenced by the results and illustrative radiologic and pathohistologic examples. These findings may have implications for future targeted therapy when treating p16+ OPSCC.