Section Editor: Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
May 22, 2026
The oropharynx is the middle part of the throat, just behind the mouth. It includes the back of the tongue (called the base of the tongue), the tonsils, the soft palate, and the back wall of the throat. When tissue is removed from this area, a pathologist examines it under a microscope and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions found in the oropharynx. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Select any article below to learn more.
Cancerous tumors
These diagnoses are cancers that start in the oropharynx. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, a cancer that begins in the thin, flat cells lining the throat. The articles explain how each cancer is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma
HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer of the throat caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is the most common type of oropharyngeal cancer and usually responds well to treatment. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions HPV-associated cancer, a positive p16 result, or cancer of the tonsil or base of the tongue.
Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma
Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma describes the way the cancer cells look under the microscope. This pattern is typical of HPV-associated cancers of the oropharynx. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report describes a non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the throat or tonsil.
HPV-independent squamous cell carcinoma
HPV-independent squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer of the throat that is not caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This article explains how it differs from HPV-associated cancer and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions HPV-independent cancer, a negative p16 result, or HPV-negative squamous cell carcinoma.
Noncancerous conditions
These conditions are not cancer. They are usually harmless, although a sample is sometimes taken to confirm the cause of a change found in this area.
A hyperplastic tonsil is a tonsil that has become enlarged, most often as a normal reaction to infection or inflammation. This article explains what this diagnosis means and why it is not cancer.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a hyperplastic or enlarged tonsil, or tonsillar hyperplasia.
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