HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer The nurse's role in patient management of treatment-related sequclae

BACKGROUND: Patients diagnosed with orophayngeal cancer IOPC) make up about 3% of all new cancer cases in the United States, with increasing numbers of these patients being diagnosed aged youngei than 45 yeais and with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive disease. Treatment effects may alter patients physical and mental states during and after treatment. OBJECTIVES:lhis article provides an overview of possible OPC treatment long-term effects to equip oncology nurses with information needed to empowei patients with OPC to perform self-caie. METHODS: The OPC literature was reviewed to identify incidence, survival, risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and treatment effects. FINDINGS: This aiticle piovides a foundation for the plan of care for patients with OPC and strategies tor patients to contribute to their self-care.