Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in the context of HPV-associated disease, continues to rise globally, affecting younger patients with excellent prognoses. This has shifted clinical priorities toward optimizing long-term function and minimizing treatment toxicity. Minimally invasive techniques like TORS offer promising alternatives to radiation-based therapies, yet comparative data have been limited—until recently.

Simultaneously, advances in molecular diagnostics such as ctHPV-DNA are providing new tools to monitor patients after treatment, enabling earlier and more accurate detection of recurrence. Denmark has led two national efforts addressing these frontiers: a randomized clinical trial comparing TORS and IMRT, and the first national rollout of ctHPV-DNA surveillance for OPSCC.

These initiatives represent a model of how rigorous research and system-wide implementation can converge to advance cancer care. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence and practical implications, offering attendees actionable insights into the future of OPSCC diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up.

This session highlights innovative approaches in the management of OPSCC, with a focus on improving precision, outcomes, and patient quality of life. Attendees will gain insights from two major national initiatives in Denmark: a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing TORS and IMRT in early-stage OPSCC, and the nationwide implementation of circulating tumor DNA testing for post-treatment surveillance of HPV-associated disease.

The RCT provides timely evidence on how TORS and IMRT compare in terms of functional outcomes and oncologic control, helping clinicians navigate the growing demand for treatment de-escalation. In parallel, the session will explore how ctHPV-DNA is being used as a non-invasive biomarker to detect minimal residual disease and early recurrence, offering a transformative surveillance strategy.

Together, these two initiatives represent a shift toward more personalized and less invasive care in OPSCC. The session will explore how combining surgical innovation with molecular diagnostics may shape future standards and support more targeted, effective, and patient-friendly treatment pathways.

Outcome objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. 1.Compare outcomes of TORS versus IMRT in early-stage OPSCC based on recent randomized trial data.

2. 2.Explain the role of ctHPV-DNA in the surveillance of HPV-associated OPSCC.

3. 3.Interpret real-world data from Denmark’s national ctHPV-DNA surveillance program

4. 4.Examine the integration of surgical and molecular strategies for individualized patient management.

5. 5.Recognize the clinical and logistical considerations of implementing novel diagnostics in routine care.