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Video

Head and Neck Surgery

(A569) Knowledge of HPV-Related Malignancies and Screening Guidelines Among Otolaryngology and Family Medicine Trainees

Monday, October 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Location: OTO EXPO, Posters

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Larissa Nicolas, MPH

    Medical Student
    David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
    Los Angeles , California, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • DD

    Desiree Delavary, Other

    Medical Student
    A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona, United States

  • LE

    Lauran K. Evans, MD, MPH

    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • MS

    Maie A. St. John, MD, PhD

    Professor and Chair
    Professor and Chair of the Department of Head & Neck Surgery at UCLA; Thomas C. Calcaterra, MD, Chair in Head and Neck Surgery
    Los Angeles, California, United States

Disclosure(s):
Larissa Nicolas, MPH: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Maie A. St. John, MD, PhD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main driver of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Despite the availability of an effective prevention strategy, HPV vaccination rates in the United States remain suboptimal. Currently, there are no recommended preventative screening methods for OPSCC, emphasizing the crucial role of healthcare providers in HPV education and prevention. This study aims to examine and compare the existing knowledge of HPV-related malignancies, vaccines, and screening guidelines among otolaryngology and family medicine (FM) trainees.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical and surgical residents in Southern California, including otolaryngology and FM trainees. The survey assessed knowledge and awareness of HPV-related malignancies, understanding of HPV vaccine protection against head and neck cancers, and current USPSTF screening recommendations.

Results: 21 otolaryngology and 64 FM trainees completed the survey. Otolaryngology trainees were more likely to correctly identify that cervical cancer is not the primary HPV-related malignancy, when compared to FM residents (47.6% vs 20.3%, p = 0.0145). FM residents had a superior understanding that there is currently no USPSTF screening recommendation for oropharyngeal cancers (76.6% vs 47.6% correct, p = 0.0194). However, knowledge about the HPV vaccine's FDA approval status for head and neck cancer protection was similar between otolaryngology and FM trainees, with 52.4% (11/21) of otolaryngology trainees and 57.8% (37/64) of FM residents identifying the vaccine has now been FDA-approved for this indication (p=0.66).

Conclusions: While otolaryngology trainees showed better understanding of HPV-related malignancies, FM trainees demonstrated superior knowledge of screening guidelines. These findings highlight the need for targeted, multidisciplinary education to address knowledge gaps across specialties, to ultimately improve HPV-related disease prevention strategies.