Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy
Radiation uses targeted beams to destroy cancer cells in the throat and nearby lymph nodes. It’s incredibly precise—more “laser-focused action movie scene” and less “spray-and-pray.”
Radiation is usually delivered daily over several weeks. It works by damaging cancer cells so they stop growing and eventually die off. While it's powerful, it can also irritate healthy tissues along the way, which explains the sore throat, dry mouth, and occasional “why does everything taste like cardboard?” moments.
Why it’s important:
For HPV-positive throat cancers, radiation is often the cornerstone of treatment. It’s effective, predictable, and has strong success rates.
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy is often used in combination with radiation—a classic “better together” scenario. In this setting, chemo’s main job isn’t just to kill cancer cells directly (though it does some of that). It also makes the cancer more sensitive to radiation, like turning up the volume so radiation can be heard loud and clear.
Common medications include drugs like cisplatin, typically given on a weekly or tri-weekly schedule. It’s administered through an IV, and while it may not be anyone’s idea of a spa day, it plays a crucial role in boosting outcomes.
Why it’s important:
Chemo + radiation is the standard frontline treatment for many HPV-related cases because it significantly improves control of the disease.
Surgery
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy
Surgery is less common as the first approach for HPV-related throat cancers, but it still has its place. Surgeons may remove affected lymph nodes or small tumors, especially when imaging shows limited or highly targeted disease.
Some centers use minimally invasive techniques—think robotic assistance or small incisions—to reduce recovery time and get people back to their regular routines (and bad jokes) faster.
Why it’s important:
Surgery can help confirm staging, remove persistent lymph nodes, or treat small primary tumors when appropriate.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is the high-tech player on the roster. Instead of directly targeting cancer, it trains your immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells on its own—kind of like giving your immune system reading glasses and a pep talk.
It’s typically used for advanced cases or if cancer returns after initial treatment. Drugs like pembrolizumab or nivolumab help immune cells find cancer cells that were previously hiding in plain sight.
Why it’s important:
For some men, immunotherapy can extend life, improve quality of life, or shrink tumors even when other treatments have stopped working.