Head and neck cancer arises in the mucosal epithelium, most often in the oral cavity, followed by the larynx and pharynx. Classical risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infection. However, the incidence of head and neck cancer in unexposed patients underscores the significant role of genetic predisposition in this population. The latest global cancer statistics estimate head and neck cancer as one of the top 10 most common and deadliest cancers worldwide. Despite advances in therapy, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, global incidence and mortality have remained unchanged over the last decades.
The poor prognosis is mainly due to delayed diagnosis. The difficulty in identifying potentially malignant disorders with a high risk of transformation into cancer from those with low risk remains a major challenge for early diagnosis. Potentially malignant disorders can be managed by surgical excision, cryosurgery, laser surgery, topical treatments, and photodynamic therapy, but none of these interventions fully prevent malignant transformation.
Histopathological examination is the gold standard for identifying epithelial alterations. The advancement in technology has made it possible to identify genetic changes and develop artificial intelligence tools to aid in the clinical and histopathological diagnosis of potentially malignant disorders. Recently, the World Health Organization proposed new histological criteria to improve the diagnosis of epithelial dysplasia. However, the development of non-invasive strategies is desirable for clinical follow-up.
This Special Research Topic aims to collect the most recent evidence in high-quality original research, reviews, and mini-reviews involving tools for early diagnosis in experimental and clinical research. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- New strategies for early diagnosis in head and neck cancer.
- Clinical and molecular targets in early diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
- The development and applicability of non-invasive strategies to improve diagnosis and clinical follow-up of head and neck cancer.
- Assessment and clinical prediction of the new histological criteria for epithelial dysplasia proposed by the World Health Organization.
Head and neck cancer arises in the mucosal epithelium, most often in the oral cavity, followed by the larynx and pharynx. Classical risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infection. However, the incidence of head and neck cancer in unexposed patients underscores the significant role of genetic predisposition in this population. The latest global cancer statistics estimate head and neck cancer as one of the top 10 most common and deadliest cancers worldwide. Despite advances in therapy, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, global incidence and mortality have remained unchanged over the last decades.
The poor prognosis is mainly due to delayed diagnosis. The difficulty in identifying potentially malignant disorders with a high risk of transformation into cancer from those with low risk remains a major challenge for early diagnosis. Potentially malignant disorders can be managed by surgical excision, cryosurgery, laser surgery, topical treatments, and photodynamic therapy, but none of these interventions fully prevent malignant transformation.
Histopathological examination is the gold standard for identifying epithelial alterations. The advancement in technology has made it possible to identify genetic changes and develop artificial intelligence tools to aid in the clinical and histopathological diagnosis of potentially malignant disorders. Recently, the World Health Organization proposed new histological criteria to improve the diagnosis of epithelial dysplasia. However, the development of non-invasive strategies is desirable for clinical follow-up.
This Special Research Topic aims to collect the most recent evidence in high-quality original research, reviews, and mini-reviews involving tools for early diagnosis in experimental and clinical research. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- New strategies for early diagnosis in head and neck cancer.
- Clinical and molecular targets in early diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
- The development and applicability of non-invasive strategies to improve diagnosis and clinical follow-up of head and neck cancer.
- Assessment and clinical prediction of the new histological criteria for epithelial dysplasia proposed by the World Health Organization.