E3311 is the first multi-center study of transoral surgery in head and neck cancer.

Surgeons and patients widely favor the organ-preservation approach of TOS. The surgeon uses this sophisticated, computer-enhanced system to guide the surgical tools and see an enhanced view of the cancer and surrounding tissue. The E3311 trial collected prospective, multi-institutional data with meticulous and ongoing evaluation of surgeon expertise. There was a low incidence of positive margins and minimal oropharyngeal bleeding from TOS. This high level of surgical quality assurance demonstrated that the procedure could be performed safely.


"The surgeon credentialing and quality assurance process developed to support the E3311 trial provide standards for future transoral head and neck surgical oncology trials and improve their validity," said Dr. Burtness. "Our results may also apply to other surgical disciplines and clinical trials."

E3311 provides quality of life data from the patients' own perspectives.

This trial used validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) scoring. Although a consistent decline in quality of life and swallowing scores was observed during treatment, these recovered to baseline in Arms A, B, and C. Scores following treatment in Arm D were slightly lower than baseline. Quality of life is important to measure because, in general, patients with HPV-related throat cancer experience profound, acute decreases in physical functioning and quality of life from open surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.

Also read:

A novel surgeon credentialing and quality assurance process using transoral surgery for oropharyngeal cancer in ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group Trial E3311. Ferris RL, Burtness BA. Oral Oncol. November 2020
Treatment for Oropharyngeal Cancer: Investigating Ways to Do Less Harm. National Cancer Institute Staff, Cancer Currents Blog. May 2021


About the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group is a membership-based scientific organization that designs and conducts cancer research involving adults who have or are at risk of developing cancer. ECOG-ACRIN comprises nearly 1300 member institutions in the United States and around the world. Approximately 15,000 physicians, translational scientists, and associated research professionals from the member institutions are involved in Group research across three scientific programs: Cancer Control and Outcomes, Therapeutic Studies, and Biomarker Sciences. ECOG-ACRIN is supported primarily through National Cancer Institute research grant funding but also receives funding from private sector organizations through philanthropy and collaborations. Its headquarters are in Philadelphia, Pa.

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