Nicholas J. Petrelli, MD, FACS, Consulting Editor

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 45,780 oral cavity and pharynx cancers in 2015. These estimated new cancer cases in the head and neck will occur in 32,670 men and 13,110 women. The most common head and neck cancer will be pharynx with 15,522 cases followed by tongue cancer with 14,320 cases. The American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2015, there will be 8650 deaths from head and neck cancer.

As stated by Dr Ridge in his preface, “our understanding of the epidemiology, molecular biology, and immunology of head and neck cancers is increasing rapidly.” In view of this statement, Dr Ridge has accumulated an outstanding group of authors in all of these areas. This is captured in the articles of Epidemiology of Head and Neck Cancer by authors Rettig and D’Souza, and Molecular Biology and Immunology of Head and Neck Cancer by authors Guo and Califano. The second half of this issue of the Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America is disease-site oriented with a discussion of cancers of the oral pharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; and cancers of the nose, sinus, and skull base. An interesting article on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary by authors Martin and Galloway is also included.

It has been some time since the Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America has tackled head and neck cancer. I would like to thank Dr John Ridge and his collaborators for updating our readers on present-day issues for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer.