Throughout the world, head and neck cancer is a major threat to public health and a significant challenge to both clinicians and basic scientists. Despite extensive efforts in primary prevention, screening, early detection, and therapy, long-term survival rates have not improved substantially in the last three decades. This book covers a wide range of exciting new findings in both clinical and basic sciences as they are relevant to head and neck cancer. These findings have recently enhanced our understanding of head and neck carcinogenesis at the genetic and molecular levels, offering the promise of improved preventive and therapeutic strategies. The book also presents information on the important clinical advances that have been made in chemoprevention, organ preservation, and the simultaneous use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The first section provides an overview of the etiology and biology of head and neck cancer, including an examination of human papillomaviruses in both benign and malignant lesions. This section also discusses the carcinogenic process at the genetic and molecular levels, as well as aberrant squamous differentiation; increased understanding of these areas has great potential to translate into new strategies for cancer prevention. The second section describes recent advances in developing a risk model for head and neck cancer, as well as the application of genetic susceptibility data in chemoprevention. This section also includes overviews of the status of chemoprevention trials and of the process of invasion and metastasis in head and neck cancer. The third section covers molecular studies of radioresistance, early detection of head and neck cancer, and theimplications of photodynamic therapy, while the fourth section of the book includes studies of the timing and sequencing of chemoradiotherapy. New strategies in this area have made a significantly increased feasibility of laryngeal preservation in the treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer. The fifth and last section discusses the management of clinically negative neck disease, the role of adjuvant therapy in preventing distant metastasis, and new strategies for the treatment of recurrent tumors. Finally, we close with some intriguing predictions for the future of head and neck cancer therapy.

Throughout the world, head and neck cancer is a major threat to public health and a significant challenge to both clinicians and basic scientists. Despite extensive efforts in primary prevention, screening, early detection, and therapy, long-term survival rates have not improved substantially in the last three decades. This book covers a wide range of exciting new findings in both clinical and basic sciences as they are relevant to head and neck cancer. These findings have recently enhanced our understanding of head and neck carcinogenesis at the genetic and molecular levels, offering the promise of improved preventive and therapeutic strategies. This book will also present information on the important clinical advances that have been made in chemoprevention, organ preservation, and the simultaneous use of chemo therapy and radiotherapy. The first part provides an overview of the etiology and biology of head and neck cancer, including an examination of human papillomaviruses in both benign and malignant lesions. This section also discusses the carcinogenic process at the genetic and molecular levels, as well as aberrant squamous differentiation; increased understanding of these areas has great potential to translate into new strategies for cancer prevention. The second part describes recent advances in developing a risk model for head and neck cancer, as well as the application of genetic susceptibility data in chemoprevention. This section also includes overviews of the status of chemoprevention trials and of the process of invasion and metastasis in head and neck cancer."

Skin cancer, including melanoma and nonmelanoma cancers, is the most common malignancy in the United States and constitutes an evolving global epidemic. Although the majority of these lesions occur on the head and neck, the treatment of skin cancer crosses numerous medical and surgical specialties. Unfortunately, the preponderance of treatment occurs in a disjointed fashion as dermatologists, surgeons, primary care providers, and radiation oncologists endeavor to cure patients within their own spheres. Consequently, aggressive malignancies are often identified late, and patient outcomes are unsatisfactory, with potentially avoidable morbidity and mortality. Dr. Randal Weber, Professor and Chairman of Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and a world-renowned leader in the treatment of aggressive cutaneous malignancy, and Dr. Brian A. Moore have assembled a panel of current and emerging leaders in comprehensive oncologic care to clarify the challenges and advances in treating skin cancer of the head and neck.Unlike other anatomic regions, the complex anatomy, unique functions, and aesthetic import of head and neck structures demand great technical expertise and a collaborative approach to meet the expectations of patients. For the first time, a true multidisciplinary approach to cutaneous malignancy of the head and neck is presented, as international experts in head and neck surgical oncology, dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology present state-of-the-art techniques and promising horizons in the treatment of cutaneous malignancy of the head and neck. Whether in primary care or a specialty practice, this text should prove invaluable to any practitioner who treats patients with skin cancer of the head and neck. This is the only textbook on this subject that comprehensively addresses patient management - from diagnosis, treatment (in all forms, including chemotherapy and radiation), and reconstruction.This book makes preparation for actual patient care or presentations simpler and easier; currently, someone wanting to study this field would have to get articles, a head and neck surgery text, and a facial plastic/reconstruction text to gather all the information that is presented here.This book is suitable for ENT surgeons, plastic surgeons, general surgical oncologists, dermatologists, and even radiation/medical oncologists in endemic areas who treat patients with aggressive cutaneous malignancies. Each chapter has information that will be valuable to both seasoned practitioners and residents in training.