title: Molecular introduction to head and neck cancer (HNSCC) carcinogenesis.
abstract: Of all human cancers, HNSCC is the most distressing affecting pain, disfigurement, speech and the basic survival functions of breathing and swallowing. Mortality rates have not significantly changed in the last 40 years despite advances in radiotherapy and surgical treatment. Molecular markers are currently being identified that can determine prognosis preoperatively by routine tumour biopsy leading to improved management of HNSCC patients. The approach could help decide which early stage patient should have adjuvant neck dissection and radiotherapy, and whether later stage patients with operable lesions would benefit from resection and reconstructive surgery or adopt a conservative approach to patients with poor prognosis regardless of treatment. In the future, understanding these basic genetic changes in HNSCC would be important for the management of HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Melanoma Genomics Group, Dept of Plastic Surgery and Head and Neck Unit, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. davidC@qimr.edu.au
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Glen M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Theile
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Coman
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002880:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D005784:Gene Amplification; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D018816:Genes, cdc; D016158:Genes, p53; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics; D009857:Oncogenes; D010375:Pedigree; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors; D066246:ErbB Receptors