Molecular pathology of head and neck cancer: implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
The prototypic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) arises from the mucosal lining of the upper aerodigestive tract, demonstrates squamous differentiation microscopically, involves older men with a long history of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, and is treated by multimodality therapy. HNSCC has long been regarded as a uniform disease process requiring a methodical and unwavering therapeutic approach. Divergence in epidemiologic trends among HNSCCs arising from different anatomic sites has introduced a view that, morphologic repetition aside, head and neck cancers form a heterogeneous group. This view has been supported at the molecular genetic level. A more complete understanding of the molecular genetics of head and neck cancer is providing new insights into long-held but poorly comprehended concepts such as field cancerization and is introducing various biomarkers with potential application for diagnosing, staging, monitoring, and prognosticating HNSCC.
Pai
Sara I
SI
Departments of Otolarygology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. spai1@jhmi.edu
Westra
William H
WH
D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D018579:Patient Selection; D010641:Phenotype; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor