Advances in the changing patterns of aetiology of head and neck cancers

Purpose of review: Recent cumulated evidence suggests that factors other than those conventionally known may contribute to the development of head and neck cancer. In fact, a review of the most recent literature shows interesting advances in molecular epidemiology. Recent findings: Recent studies have pointed out the role both of exposure to carcinogens and of an inherited or acquired genetic susceptibility. A very broad mechanism by which gene families can be responsible for the disease has been depicted. This mechanism ranges from behaviour genes, which can regulate lifestyle habits, to metabolizing genes, DNA repair genes and cell cycle control genes. Summary: This review tries to summarize the most recent advances in the field of cancerogenesis in head and neck cancer. © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.