Pitfalls in the staging of cancer of the oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The face of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is changing. It has a dichotomous nature, with 1 subset of the disease associated with tobacco and alcohol use and the other having proven association with human papilloma virus infection. Imaging plays an important role in the staging and surveillance of OPSCC, and a detailed knowledge of the anatomy and pitfalls is critical. This article will review the detailed anatomy of the oropharynx and epidemiology of OPSS, along with its staging, patterns of spread, and treatment.