Transoral surgery (TOS) in oropharyngeal cancer: Different tools, a single mini-invasive philosophy

Surgery with or without adjust therapy and radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy have traditionally represented the possible treatment option for oropharyngeal cancer- The adverse effects of non surgical treatment and recent technical innovations have prompted a new interest in the surgical approach. However parallel to the possibility of achieving radical cancer clearance, we should remember the impact that the traditional open surgery has on the patient's cosmoses, functionality and quality of life. As a result, transoral surgery is an attractive option for oropharyngeal tumors. The therm transoral surgery only indicates that the tumor is accessed and resected via the oral cavity, but the surgeon can choose among different resection methods such as transoral laser microsurgery, transoral robotic surgery, transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery, endoscopic larynx-pharingeal surgery, and ultrasound transoral surgery. The aim of this paper is to review the recent literature on the transoral treatment of oropharyngeal cancer to standardize the terminology of transoral procedures analyzing the common aspects, main difference and future perspectives of the various forms of transoral surgery.