Advances in the changing patterns of aetiology of head and neck cancers.
OBJECTIVE
Recent cumulated evidence suggests that factors other than those conventionally known may contribute to the development of head and neck cancer. In fact, a review of the most recent literature shows interesting advances in molecular epidemiology.


RESULTS
Recent studies have pointed out the role both of exposure to carcinogens and of an inherited or acquired genetic susceptibility. A very broad mechanism by which gene families can be responsible for the disease has been depicted. This mechanism ranges from behaviour genes, which can regulate lifestyle habits, to metabolizing genes, DNA repair genes and cell cycle control genes.


CONCLUSIONS
This review tries to summarize the most recent advances in the field of cancerogenesis in head and neck cancer.
Head and Neck Cancer Medical Oncology Unit, Cancer Medicine Department, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy. lisa.licitra@istitutotumori.mi.it
Lisa
L
Licitra
Chiara
C
Rossini
Paolo
P
Bossi
Laura D
LD
Locati
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D002273:Carcinogens