Head and Neck Oncology

The section on head and neck oncology in Current Oncology is open to all articles examining basic, translational, and clinical research on all aspects related to head and neck cancer, with an emphasis on means of diagnostic imaging, novel therapies, complications of the disease and treatment, and the patient’s status. This includes studies addressing the epidemiology and pathology of head and neck cancer as well as studies on the outcomes of both early and advanced head and neck cancer. We welcome the submission of manuscripts that add to the knowledge of current diagnosis and therapies with new insights regarding predictive or prognostic factors, toxicity, pharmacogenomics, or associated novel innovations, and new enabling surgical or image-guided percutaneous technologies. Studies on promising imaging techniques for both screening and early and precise diagnosis and treatment (such as image fusion), as well as trials of pathology and the genomic testing of tumors and hosts, are of great interest. We also greatly encourage papers with a focus on patient-related outcomes, quality of life, and supportive care, particularly in advanced-stage disease, as these are areas of great importance.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Early effective percutaneous diagnosis by using image guidance of deep and/or submucosal primary lesions;
• Impact of nutritional status, tobacco abuse, body mass index, albuminemia, and other biological tests on the feasibility of therapy and treatment-related complications;
• Technical feasibility and outcomes of nutritional gastrostomy, PICC lines, and venous port devices in head and neck cancer patients;
• Registry-based studies that provide insight into diagnostic means, treatment effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness;
• Evidence-based knowledge synthesis and knowledge translation related to head and neck cancer, including prognostic and predictive factors or novel host factors;
• Studies that identify patient subgroups who may or may not benefit from specific treatments, including issues of toxicity, disparities, or underserved populations;
• Multi-center approaches, training, and education that support treatment strategies;
• Regulatory and quality issues related to the treatment of head and neck cancer;
• Insight from preclinical animal models that advance new concepts or identify mechanisms related to the epidemiology or treatment of head and neck cancer.