Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous
group of malignancies that collectively constitute a significant group of cancer
worldwide. It affects not only the elderly patients but more so the middle age and the
pediatric patient population. Around 90% of these tumors develop from the mucosal
lining of the head and neck region i.e. Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
(HNSCC). These mainly include oral cavity carcinoma, oropharyngeal carcinoma,
hypopharyngeal carcinoma, laryngeal carcinoma, sinonasal carcinoma, nasopharyngeal
carcinoma, and salivary glands carcinomas. Different types of these carcinomas are
prevalent at some geographic locations due to various environmental, dietary, social,
and genetic factors. Head and neck cancers are critical as these affect many vital
functions of the human being, such as breathing, eating, smell, hearing, and vision.
Clinical and epidemiologic studies show aetio-pathological relation between chronic
inflammation and cancer in several organs, including the Head and Neck region. A
huge number of inflammatory mediators and markers have been identified and
investigated in the current genomic era. Significant inflammatory biomarkers have a
potential role not only in screening and prevention but also in treatment and assessing
the prognosis of HNSCC. This chapter will highlight the recent facts, the discovery of
evidence of the inflammation, and biomarkers for HNSCC.
Keywords: Alcohol and smoking, Biomarkers, Head and neck malignancy,
HNSCC, Human papilloma virus, Immunoscore, Inflammation and cancer,
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Oncogenic virus.
