ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Tumors of the oropharynx are relatively infrequent with an incidence of about 0.8 to 3.8 per 100,000 population per annum, but for head and neck tumors, this is the most common site for carcinomas of the pharynx. Functionally, the oropharynx is one the most critical sites in the upper aerodigestive tract because it is situated at the important bifurcation of the respiratory and digestive tract. Tumors at this site will affect swallowing, speech, and ultimately the airway; therefore, decisions about treatment are influenced not only by which is the optimal method of tumor ablation, but also by important functional considerations.
