03-20-2026 Oropharyngeal Cancers SCC p16+ or p16-
Scenario:
2022+Biopsy Base of Tongue; Squamous cell carcinoma, p16+
Question: What is the histology?
8070 Squamous cell carcinoma
8085 Squamous cell carcinoma, HPV positive
Answer & Rationale: 8085 Squamous cell carcinoma, HPV positive
Solid Tumor Rules 2026 Updates
Head & Neck Table 5: Tumors of the Oropharynx, Base of Tongue, Tonsils, Adenoids
Cases diagnosed 1/1/2022 forward:
Beginning with cases diagnosed 1/1/2022 forward, p16 test results can be used to code squamous cell carcinoma, HPV positive (8085) and squamous cell carcinoma, HPV negative (8086).
2022+: p16+ test results can be used to assign code 8085.
QA TIP: Review oropharyngeal primary cases coded to 8070 (Squamous cell carcinoma, NOS) to ensure the histology is correct. Verify whether p16 status (or HPV status) is documented in the abstract text. If p16 is reported as positive or negative, confirm that the appropriate HPV‑related histology code has been assigned. When p16 status is unavailable or not performed, this must be clearly documented in the abstract to substantiate the continued use of 8070/3 and support accurate coding and staging.
