head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Definition: Squamous cell carcinoma originating from the oral cavity, lip, larynx and pharynx are grouped under head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

HNSCC-specific genetic alterations detection using saliva

Noninvasive identification of HNSCC-specific genetic alterations using saliva would have immense potential in early diagnosis and screening, particularly among high-risk patients.

Noninvasive high-throughput multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification identified discrete gene signatures that differentiated HNSCC patients from normal controls providing proof-of-concept for noninvasive HNSCC detection.

Etiology - Tumorigenesis

 HPV

• In Africa, oncogenic HPV infection was found in 19.23% of HNSCCs, with genotype 16 predominating. HPV-related HNSCC tended to occur at younger age compared to non-HPV-related HNSCC. (25236828)

Predisposition

 Fanconi anemia (FA) and dyskeratosis congenita (DC) are rare inherited syndromes that cause head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).

• Inactivation of FANCB may play a role in the pathogenesis of sporadic HNSCC.

References

 HPV analysis in distinguishing second primary tumors from lung metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Bishop JA, Ogawa T, Chang X, Illei PB, Gabrielson E, Pai SI, Westra WH. Am J Surg Pathol. 2012 Jan;36(1):142-8. PMID: 22173119

 Noninvasive molecular detection of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an exploratory analysis. Sethi S, Benninger MS, Lu M, Havard S, Worsham MJ. Diagn Mol Pathol. 2009 Jun;18(2):81-7. PMID: 19430297