Cell-free nucleic acids in body fluids as biomarkers for the prediction and early detection of recurrent head and neck cancer: A systematic review of the literature

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) comprise malignant tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Major risk factors are tobacco smoking, betel nut chewing, alcohol consumption, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Oropharyngeal HNSCCs are attributable to HPV infection in 30.8% of cases worldwide [1]. Furthermore, HNSCC accounts for 3.8% of all cancer types with an estimated global incidence of approximately 600,000 patients each year [2]. This number is predicted to rise 62% by 2035, which is probably being caused by shifts in etiological and sociodemographic factors [3 –6].

Source: Oral Oncology - October 23, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Joost H. van Ginkel, Fons J.B. Slieker, Remco de Bree, Robert J.J. van Es, Ellen M. Van Cann, Stefan M. Willems Tags: Review Source Type: research