Molecular pathology of head and neck cancer: implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment

Annu Rev Pathol. 2009:4:49-70. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pathol.4.110807.092158.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications
  • Patient Selection
  • Phenotype
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor