Head and neck cancer is on the rise around the globe. At present, the disease
affects both the elderly and younger patient populations. This type of cancer is
significant as it involves crucial anatomic regions of the head and neck, which are vital
for breathing, mastication, swallowing, speech, and olfaction. The treatment options for
head and neck malignancies are mainly surgery and chemoradiation, depending on the
stage of the tumors. Inflammation plays an important role, and it has a strong
relationship with the risk factors, assessment, and treatment of head and neck cancer.
Multiple risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma like smoking, alcohol,
viruses, chemicals, and foods have some elements of inflammation that play a
dominant role in promoting and sustaining carcinogenesis. The inflammation cascades
are complex, and multiple factors cohesively interact within the microenvironment that
eventually leads to carcinogenesis, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. Recent evidence
suggests that numerous anti-inflammatory biomarkers have effective therapeutic roles
in the management of head and neck cancer. This chapter highlights the prominent
relationship and interaction that exists between head and neck cancer and
inflammation, not only in its etiopathogenesis but also in the assessment and overall
management approaches. The significant focus is on the role of inflammatory agents
that contribute to the process of carcinogenesis, as well as discussion on several
significant inflammatory markers and molecules which may serve as a potential
effective target for personalized treatment in head and neck cancer management
armamentarium in the near future.
Keywords: Anti-inflammation, Carcinogenesis, Chemoradiation, Epstein Barr
viruses, Head and neck cancer, Immunomodulation, Loco-regional recurrence,
Malignancy, Metastases, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Oncogenic viruses,
Oncologic surgery.
