Imaging-Detected Extranodal Extension as a Predictor of Distant Recurrence in HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer

Highlight

– Imaging-detected extranodal extension (iENE) identifies HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients at increased risk of distant recurrence.
– Grade 3 iENE significantly correlates with worse progression-free survival and higher rates of distant metastasis.
– Incorporation of iENE status into staging systems could improve prognostic accuracy and guide personalized treatment.
– Locoregional control remains comparable regardless of iENE presence, emphasizing distant metastasis as the key adverse outcome.

Study Background