Contemporany Advances in Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management in Head and Neck Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

Head and neck cancer (HNC) remains a major global health challenge, accounting for more than 900,000 new cases and over 400,000 deaths annually worldwide. Despite advances in surgical techniques, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and supportive care, survival outcomes have improved only modestly over recent decades. The increasing incidence of HPV-related tumors, the persistence of tobacco- and alcohol-related carcinogenesis, and the growing complexity of recurrent and previously treated disease demand continuous refinement in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Recent years have witnessed substantial progress in imaging modalities, molecular characterization, minimally invasive surgical approaches, reconstructive microsurgery, immunotherapy, and personalized treatment planning. Moreover, greater attention is being paid to functional outcomes, quality of life, and long-term survivorship.

This Special Issue will present and disseminate the most recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical studies addressing innovative diagnostic tools, surgical techniques, oncologic outcomes, reconstructive strategies, complications managements and multidisciplinary treatment approaches.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

• Advances in imaging for head and neck cancer (MRI, PET/CT, radiomics, AI-based analysis);
• Surgical innovations in oral cavity, oropharyngeal, and maxillofacial oncology;
• Neck management and nodal metastasis patterns;
• Prognostic factors and survival analyses;
• Close/positive margins and their clinical impact;
• Microsurgical reconstruction and functional outcomes;
• Vessel-depleted neck reconstruction strategies;
• Radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy advancements;
• Immunotherapy and targeted therapies;
• HPV-related head and neck cancers;
• Transoral robotic surgery;
• Salivary gland cancers;
• Facial Paralysis in salivary gland tumors;
• Salvage surgery and recurrent disease;
• Complications managements;
• Quality of life and rehabilitation;
• Translational and molecular research.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and providing a comprehensive overview of contemporary challenges and innovations in head and neck oncology.

Dr. Federico Bolognesi
Dr. Giovanni Salzano
Guest Editors

Dr. Danilo Di Giorgio
Guest Editor Assistant

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