TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Treatment of Metastatic Stage IV and Recurrent Oropharyngeal Cancer
Source: Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 16, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
For information about the treatments listed below, see the Treatment Option Overview section.
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Treatment of oropharyngeal cancer that has metastasized or recurred in the oropharynx may include:
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surgery, if the cancer does not respond to radiation therapy
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radiation therapy, if the tumor was not completely removed by surgery and previous radiation has not been given
second surgery, if the tumor was not completely removed by the first surgery
chemotherapy for people with recurrent cancer that cannot be removed by surgery
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radiation therapy given at the same time as chemotherapy
stereotactic body radiation therapy given at the same time as targeted therapy (cetuximab)
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immunotherapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) given after or during chemotherapy
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clinical trials of targeted therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, hyperfractionated radiation therapy, or immunotherapy given at the same time as chemotherapy
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Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice