Jessica Frakes, MD

Jessica Frakes, MD, assistant professor of radiation oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses patients treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT) for HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and the detection of recurrences. Frakes says the number of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer diagnoses year to year is growing, though the number of survivors is proportionate.

According to Frakes, most recurrences and toxicities were found by posttreatment imaging at 3 months and physical examinations during the 6 months after treatment. She said patients experienced a low rate of permanent toxicity. Previous retrospective and prospective studies have shown that while HPV-associated cases of OPSCC are increasing in frequency, treatments result in decreased toxicities and increased survival.

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Frakes says the number of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer diagnoses year to year is growing, though the number of survivors is proportionate.

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Dr. Jessica Frakes on Monitoring Recurrences in HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma