title: Growth and progression of head and neck cancer: a report of the Upper Aerodigestive Cancer Task Force Workshop.
abstract: Factors governing the initiation, growth, and progression of squamous cell carcinoma were the focus of a recent Upper Aerodigestive Cancer Task Force workshop sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The goal of the daylong workshop was to identify critical research concepts in head and neck cancer biology. Discussed were the multistep processes potentially involved in tumor evolution, including the role of carcinogens, viral promotors, host and tumor karyotypes, microenvironment growth factors and growth factor receptors, as well as host/tumor components inherent to the metastatic process. Concepts developed from research in other neoplastic processes but potentially relevant to head and neck cancer were emphasized. The process of identifying critical research directions is the first step by the National Cancer Institute in program development designed to advance the treatment of head and neck cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Schantz
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D066246:ErbB Receptors