Objective: To analyze the importance of human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal cancer. Materials and methods: 75 patients treated at the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of KBC Rijeka were included in the retrospective study. Results: Out of 75 patients, 12 were female and 63 were male. The median age was 66 years (range 36-83 years). The most common site of tumor were the tonsils, and the least frequent was the back wall of the pharynx. According to the TNM classification, the tumors were classified as T1 (28%), T2 (32%), T3 (17%), T4a (11%), T4b (12%). In 28 patients, HPV typing was performed, of which 12 patients were proven to have HPV infection, including the subtype of the virus, while in 47 patients, the infection status was unknown. In HPV positive patients, 10 patients (83.3%) were infected with type 16, one patient (8.3%) with type 31, and in one patient (8.3%) expression of p16 was determined. Almost all patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer were presented with stage I (91.7%) or stage II (8.3%). 31 patients (41%) were treated with surgery, of which it remained the only treatment modality in 12 patients, while postoperative radiotherapy was used in 19 patients (25%). 35 patients (47%) were treated with primary (chemo)radiotherapy, while 9 (12%) did not agree to active oncological treatment or were terminal patients. The average follow-up time is 22.4 months. The overall survival was 49%, while in proven HPV positive patients was 100%. Conclusion: The treatment of oropharyngeal cancers is a challenge considering the treatment possibilities range from surgery to (chemo)radiotherapy. Determination of HPV status is an indispensable part of the diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer, as it can significantly facilitate the decision when choosing a treatment modality.