title: Genetically altered fields in head and neck cancer and second field tumor.
abstract: The concept of field cancerization has been ever changing since its first description by Slaughter et al in 1953. Field cancerization explains the mechanisms by which second primary tumors (SPTs) develop. SPTs are the tumors, which develop in the oral cavity in succession to the primary malignant tumors, which might vary in duration ranging from few months to years. Conceivably, a population of daughter cells with early genetic changes (without histopathology) remains in the organ, demonstrating the concept of field cancerization. This review explains the concept of field cancerization and various field theories along with molecular basis of field formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Bhojia Dental College and Hospital, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabharwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Chandra Dental College Barabanki, India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahendra
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, RKDF Dental College, Bhopal, India.
authors.forename: Ninad J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Kalka Dental College, UP, India.
authors.forename: Parul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Krishna Dental College, UP, India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and Research, Ajit Mahal, Modinagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shivangi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Second primary tumor; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; tumor adjacent mucosa; upper aerodigestive tract