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Medicina
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Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Management
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Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Management

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1650

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Primož Strojan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Zaloška 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: head and neck cancer; neuroendocrine neoplasms of the head and neck; melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer; radiochemotherapy; radiotherapy-related toxicities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Domen Vozel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: otorhinolaryngology; otolaryngology; platelet rich plasma; head and neck surgery; plastic surgery; extracellular vesicles; rhinology; skull-base; ent

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue on "Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Management" in the Medicina delves into the multidimensional approach to treating head and neck cancer, including advancements in reconstructive surgery. This collection of articles showcases cutting-edge research aimed at improving outcomes for patients facing the challenges of this complex type of cancer.

Personalized and targeted therapies tailored to the molecular and genetic characteristics of individual tumors are a central theme in this Special Issue. Researchers are exploring novel treatment approaches that maximize efficacy while minimizing side effects, with a particular focus on the role of reconstructive surgery in restoring function and aesthetics post-treatment.

Immunotherapy takes center stage in many articles, highlighting its promise in enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells. Studies on immunotherapy drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors, in combination with traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, underscore the potential for improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

Advanced imaging techniques also play a crucial role in the early detection and precise targeting of head and neck tumors, aiding in treatment planning and monitoring responses. Technologies like PET-CT scans and MRIs provide detailed insights into cancer spread, guiding clinicians in making informed decisions throughout the course of treatment, including considerations for reconstructive surgery.

Moreover, the significance of multidisciplinary care is underscored in this Issue, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, speech therapists, and reconstructive surgeons. This team-based approach ensures the comprehensive and holistic management of head and neck cancer, addressing not only the disease itself, but also the functional and aesthetic aspects through reconstructive surgery.

In conclusion, the Special Issue on "Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Management" in Medicina presents a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the field. By integrating personalized treatment strategies, immunotherapy innovations, imaging advancements, and the transformative role of reconstructive surgery, this collection of articles encapsulates the multidimensional nature of head and neck cancer care, paving the way for improved patient outcomes and survival.

Prof. Dr. Primož Strojan
Guest Editor

Dr. Domen Vozel
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • head and neck cancer
  • targeted therapies
  • Immunotherapy
  • imaging techniques
  • skull-base cancer
  • radiation therapy

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1508 KB  
Article
Prognostic Significance of Peritumoral and Intratumoral Lymphatic Vessels Density in Clinically Node-Negative (cN0) Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Preliminary Report
by Boris Kos, Petar Suton, Danko Müller, Vid Mirošević, Matija Mamić and Ivica Lukšić
Medicina 2025, 61(9), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61091712 - 19 Sep 2025
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by a high propensity for cervical lymph node metastasis, which remains a strong predictor of patient outcome. Despite advances in management, the prognosis for OSCC has not significantly improved, and the identification [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by a high propensity for cervical lymph node metastasis, which remains a strong predictor of patient outcome. Despite advances in management, the prognosis for OSCC has not significantly improved, and the identification of reliable predictors for occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) in clinically node-negative (cN0) patients is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. Lymphovascular density (LVD) immunohistochemically assessed by podoplanin (D2-40) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for regional metastasis, but its prognostic value remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of intratumoral (ILVD) and peritumoral lymphovascular density (PLVD) for OLNM in OSCC. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 43 cN0 patients with primary OSCC who underwent surgical resection and elective neck dissection (END) at a tertiary care cancer center. LVD was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for podoplanin (D2-40) in both intratumoral and peritumoral regions. Clinicopathological data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: In observed cohort peritumoral LVD was significantly higher than intratumoral LVD. PLVD was also significantly higher in early-stage tumors (pT1/pT2) compared to advanced stages (pT3/pT4). Higher ILVD was significantly associated with the presence of OLNM. Neither ILVD nor PLVD demonstrated a statistically significant influence on overall survival, although a trend toward poorer outcomes was observed in patients with higher ILVD. Conclusions: ILVD was significantly associated with occult nodal metastasis, whereas PLVD was not. However, neither LVD parameter independently predicted overall survival. Results suggest that ILVD may serve as a useful marker for identifying cN0 OSCC patients at higher risk for occult metastasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Management)

Review

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17 pages, 475 KB  
Review
The Rationale and Explanation for Rehabilitation Interventions in the Management of Treatment-Induced Trismus in People with Head and Neck Cancer: A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Ernesto Anarte-Lazo, Ana Bravo-Vazquez, Carlos Bernal-Utrera, Daniel Torres-Lagares, Deborah Falla and Cleofas Rodríguez-Blanco
Medicina 2025, 61(8), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61081392 - 31 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Background and objectives: Trismus is a frequent and debilitating complication in people with head and neck cancer (HNC) which leads to significant functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Rehabilitation interventions are commonly recommended to manage or prevent trismus. However, in many [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: Trismus is a frequent and debilitating complication in people with head and neck cancer (HNC) which leads to significant functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Rehabilitation interventions are commonly recommended to manage or prevent trismus. However, in many randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the theoretical justification for these interventions is poorly articulated, and the underlying biological or physiological mechanisms are not described in detail, limiting our understanding of why certain treatments may (or may not) work. This review aimed to identify and analyze how RCTs report the rationale for rehabilitation interventions and the explanations used to manage this population. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five databases (PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE) were searched up to May 2025 for RCTs evaluating rehabilitation interventions for the management or prevention of treatment-induced trismus in patients with HNC. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively, focusing on the type of intervention, the rationale for its use, and the proposed mechanisms of action. Results: Of 2215 records identified, 24 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies focused on preventive interventions—primarily exercise therapy—while the remainder addressed established trismus using exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy, or combined treatment modalities. The rationales provided for intervention selection were heterogeneous and often lacked depth, with most studies justifying interventions based on their potential to improve mouth opening or reduce fibrosis but rarely grounding these claims in detailed pathophysiological models. Only half of the studies provided any mechanistic explanation for the intervention’s effects, and these were typically generic or speculative. Conclusions: RCTs investigating rehabilitation interventions for treatment-induced trismus in patients with HNC frequently lack comprehensive rationales and mechanistic explanations for their interventions. This gap limits the ability to refine and optimize treatment approaches, as the underlying processes driving clinical improvements remain poorly understood. Future research should be guided by theoretical models and include objective outcomes to better elucidate the mechanisms of action of interventions to inform clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Management)
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