title: Oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in young adults: a review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a disease of middle-aged to elderly adults. However, an increased incidence of HNSCC in young people under 45 years of age has been reported recently. In the present review, we focused on the epidemiology and aetiology of HNSCC in adults under 45 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed literature related to HNSCC in adult patients less than 45 years of age and discussed current treatment options and prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HNSCC in young adults is associated with a higher incidence rate in nonsmokers, lower female-to-male ratio, a higher percentage of oral cavity and oropharynx tumours, and fewer second primary tumours. However, aside from traditional risk factors of tobacco and alcohol exposure, the causes of these cancers in young adults remain unclear. Agents that might contribute to risk include infection with high-risk human papillomavirus subtypes as well as genetic factors or immunodeficiency status. The expected increase in incidence and mortality of the young with HNSCC may become a major public health concern if current trends persist, particularly lifestyle habits that may contribute to this disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the younger age and potential long-term adverse sequelae of traditional HNSCC treatments, young adults should be treated on a case-by-case basis and post-therapy quality of life must be considered in any treatment-decision making process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland ; Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Majchrzak
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Szybiak
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland ; Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pienkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pazdrowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luczewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sowka
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland ; Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golusinski
authors.affiliation: The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malicki
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland ; Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Golusinski
keywords: head and neck cancer; quality of life; squamous cell carcinoma; young adults