A systematic review on Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for carcinoma of unknown primary origin: Has tongue base mucosectomy become indispensable?

BACKGROUND

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is increasingly used in head and neck surgery and in carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) origin specifically. Due to the rising incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), there is a rationale for finding ways to de-escalate treatment strategies. This review aims to test the hypothesis that TORS is a meaningful adjunct in the diagnostic (and therapeutic) pathway in CUP in head and neck.

METHODS

A structured search of the literature was performed with the search terms 'TORS' and 'Carcinoma of Unknown Primary'.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy four cases of CUP in which TORS was used were identified for further analysis. Workup for CUP was comparable in all series with regard to physical examination, fine and/or gross needle examination of cervical nodes, fibre optic endoscopy, imaging and robot assisted mucosectomy of the base of tongue (BOT). Identification rate of the primary tumour was 72% on average (range 17%- 90%), and 55%- 96% were HPV positive. Clear margins were achieved in 60% (range 0%-85%) of resected occult tumours. Complication rate of TORS BOT mucosectomy was low with mainly grade I-III sequelae according to Clavien-Dindo.

CONCLUSIONS

Transoral robotic surgery seems to be a useful and safe adjunct in the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway in case of CUP in an era of increasing incidence of HPV-positive OPSCC.