The oropharynx is located behind the mouth and includes the base of the tongue, the soft palate (the soft area just beyond the roof of the mouth including the uvula), and the area around the tonsils. Previously, smoking and heavy alcohol use were the most common risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer. Prior infection with certain subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) is also a particularly strong risk factor for this cancer site and is now the most common cause of new cases of oropharyngeal cancer in the United States1. Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer may include a lump in the neck or throat, persistent sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and ear and/or jaw pain.