Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in nonsmokers: clinical and biologic characteristics and implications for management

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has been strongly linked to ch ronic tobacco and alcohol abuse. However, we are increasingly recognizing s ubgroups of patients without traditional risk factors. Recent clinical and molecular investigations suggest that there are distinctive clinical entiti es. particularly affecting young patients with cancers of the oral tongue a nd oropharynx. We review data from clinical observations and current biolog ic inquiries and consider therapeutic implications for these important pati ent subgroups. Curr Opin Oncol 2001, 13:176-182 (C) 2001 Lippincott William s & Wilkins. Inc.