Advances in Precision Diagnosis of Head and Neck Tumors: From Clues to Clarity

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 75

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
The International Head and Neck Scientific Group, 35100 Padua, Italy
Interests: head and neck cancer; otolaryngology; neuroendocrine neoplasms of the head and neck

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Guest Editor
Department of Otorhinolarynglogy, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
Interests: head and neck cancer; otolaryngology; biophotonic diagnostics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advances in precision diagnosis and treatment have significantly improved outcomes for patients with head and neck tumors. Molecular profiling and next-generation sequencing now enable detailed characterization of tumor genetics, allowing for personalized treatment plans. Biomarkers such as HPV status in oropharyngeal cancers help guide prognosis and therapy selection. Imaging technologies, including PET-CT and functional MRI, provide enhanced tumor visualization and aid in precise surgical planning. On the treatment front, targeted therapies and immunotherapy have revolutionized care. Especially immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results, now already in curative settings, for instance as neoadjuvant therapy. Here, better diagnostics for optimal patient selection are needed. Minimally invasive surgical techniques including robotic surgery improve functional outcomes while reducing recovery time. Advances in radiation therapy, like intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and proton therapy, offer precise tumor targeting with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Both, surgery and radiation therapy need innovative diagnostics for better intraoperative decision making or better response monitoring under radiotherapy. Integration of artificial intelligence into diagnostic workflows enhances early detection and decision-making. Multidisciplinary care, combining genomics, advanced imaging, and personalized treatment strategies, is becoming the standard in managing head and neck cancers. These innovations not only improve survival rates but also preserve quality of life, marking a new era in the fight against these complex tumors.

Prof. Dr. Alfio Ferlito
Prof. Dr. Orlando Guntinas-Lichius
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • head and neck cancer
  • screening
  • radiomics
  • human papillomavirus
  • liquid biopsy
  • de-escalation
  • clinical guidelines
  • sentinels node
  • quality of life

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

29 pages, 686 KiB  
Review
Targeted Screening Strategies for Head and Neck Cancer: A Global Review of Evidence, Technologies, and Cost-Effectiveness
by Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Claudio Bücking, Sweet Ping Ng, Fernando López, Juan Pablo Rodrigo, Karthik N. Rao, Andrés Coca Pelaz, Luiz P. Kowalski, Cesare Piazza, Alessandra Rinaldo and Alfio Ferlito
Diagnostics 2025, 15(16), 2095; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15162095 - 20 Aug 2025
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, with rising incidence particularly in oropharyngeal cancer subsites. Despite well-known risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption as well as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, most HNCs are diagnosed at an [...] Read more.
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, with rising incidence particularly in oropharyngeal cancer subsites. Despite well-known risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption as well as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, most HNCs are diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in poor prognosis. Early detection and screening are critical, especially in high-risk populations. Nevertheless, there is a lack of guidelines for a stratified HNC screening. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, using PubMed and ScienceDirect databases up to 30 June 2025. Search terms included “screening”, “early diagnosis”, and specific HNC subsites. A total of 199 records were screened, and 160 studies were included based on relevance and scientific rigor. The review concentrates on contemporary screening modalities, stratification of high-risk cohorts, emerging technologies, and cost-effectiveness evidence. Visual inspection and panendoscopy remain the standard tools for HNC screening, but have limited effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Opportunistic screening in high-risk individuals, especially in regions with high HNC prevalence, has shown benefits. Liquid biopsy techniques targeting HPV- and Epstein-Barr virus-related HNC demonstrate high sensitivity for early detection and recurrence monitoring. Novel imaging technologies like narrow-band imaging and Raman spectroscopy show promising diagnostic accuracy but require further validation. Most broad-based screening programs lack cost-effectiveness, while targeted strategies in high-risk groups appear more viable. Screening for HNC should be stratified by individual risk profiles and regional disease prevalence. Emerging technologies, particularly liquid and optical biopsy techniques, offer transformative potential. Future screening strategies must integrate technological advances into tailored, evidence-based protocols to improve early detection and patient outcomes in HNC. Full article
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