Cancers can be sneaky. Unfortunately, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, also known as OPSCC or Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, is no exception—it doesn’t exactly show up wearing a name tag. Symptoms often start mild, get mistaken for everyday annoyances, and quietly hang around long enough to deserve a “you again?” eye roll.
But here’s the good news: knowing what to watch for (and acting on it) can make a huge difference. So let’s talk symptoms, tests, and treatments—minus the medical jargon, plus a little dad-level honesty.
Common Symptoms to Watch Out For
Not all of these mean cancer—sometimes a sore throat is just a sore throat—but persistent symptoms deserve attention… and not the “I’ll get to it after the weekend” kind.
Lumps or bumps that weren’t invited
- A painless lump in the neck - often looks like an acorn under the skin
- Swollen lymph nodes that ignore hints to leave
Throat troubles that overstay their welcome
- Sore throat that lasts more than a few weeks
- Difficulty swallowing or the feeling that food is “sticking"
- Voice changes that make you sound like you’re auditioning for a new role
Mouth and tongue symptoms
- Pain in the tongue or tonsils
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- Ear pain on one side without an ear infection
General “something’s off” signs
- Unintentional weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Bad breath that doesn’t improve
If something feels off, don’t tough it out. Even superheroes call for backup.
How Diagnosis Works (Without the Panic)
The process sounds scarier than it is. Think of it as detective work—your care team playing Sherlock, you being… well, hopefully not the mystery.
A simple exam
Your doctor checks your throat, mouth, and neck. No pop quiz involved. But be prepared for them to want to send a scope down your nose and into your throat. It sounds awful, but you with a little Lidocaine and Afrin, you'll hardly even notice it.
Imaging
Ultrasound, CT, MRI, or PET scans give a clearer picture—basically high-tech selfies of what's going on inside.
Biopsy
A small sample is taken to see what’s happening at the cellular level.
This is where doctors confirm whether cancer is present.
HPV/p16 testing
If cancer is found, they test for HPV markers like p16.
HPV-positive cancers often respond very well to treatment—one of the few times getting a “positive” is actually a positive.
The Bottom Line
Symptoms can be subtle. Diagnosis can feel intimidating. Treatment can be tough.
But you’re not doing this alone.
At SavingDads.org, we’re here to help men recognize signs early, understand what comes next, and feel supported every step of the way—even when the jokes are bad.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t shrug it off. Checking early isn’t overreacting—it’s good strategy. It’s dad strategy.