OncoTargets and Therapy

Redefining Head and Neck Oncology: Biology, Innovation, and Care Across Common and Rare Malignancies

Head and neck cancers encompass one of the most biologically diverse and clinically challenging groups of malignancies in oncology. From HPV-driven squamous cell carcinomas to rare salivary gland and thyroid tumors, advances in molecular biology, imaging, systemic therapy, radiation techniques, and survivorship care are rapidly reshaping the field. However, meaningful insights often arise not only from large, randomized trials, but also from carefully described case series, real-world experiences, translational observations, and authoritative reviews, particularly in rare diseases where prospective data remain limited.

This Article Collection aims to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking platform that captures innovation across the entire spectrum of head and neck oncology—bridging common and rare tumors, bench and bedside, and efficacy with quality of life.

Unlike other cancer types, advances in head and neck cancer have been slow due to unique location, lack of good screening strategies, heterogeneous disease types, and variable responses to treatment. Given morbidity of the underlying disease and treatment procedures, symptom management and survivorship care are also of timely importance. While clinical trials are essential for transforming landscape at a large population level, meaningful insights can also come from carefully described case series, real-world experiences, translational observations, and systematic reviews, particularly in rare diseases where prospective data remain limited.

This Collection aims to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking platform that captures innovation across the entire spectrum of head and neck oncology—bridging common and rare tumors, bench and bedside, and efficacy with quality of life.

By intentionally embracing rarity, breadth, and methodological diversity, the Collection seeks to highlight insights that might otherwise remain siloed—amplifying voices from clinicians and scientists whose work advances the field through observation, innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The goal is to inform practice, inspire hypothesis generation, and improve outcomes for patients across the full spectrum of head and neck malignancies.

This Collection welcomes all tumor subtypes and all research methodologies, with a specific emphasis on traditionally underrepresented and rare entities.

Tumor Types Included

• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-positive and HPV-negative)
• Rare head and neck cancers
• Salivary gland malignancies (e.g., mucoepidermoid, adenoid cystic, secretory carcinoma)
• Thyroid cancers, including differentiated, poorly differentiated, anaplastic, and rare variants
• Sinonasal, skull base, and nasopharyngeal tumors
• Cutaneous head and neck malignancies
• Neuroendocrine and other uncommon histology

Types of Submissions Encouraged

• Original clinical research (prospective or retrospective)
• Case series and well-annotated case reports
• Translational and correlative biology studies
• Real-world and registry-based analyses
• State-of-the-art narrative and systematic reviews
• Imaging, pathology, and molecular diagnostics studies
• Radiation and surgical innovation reports
• Quality-of-life, survivorship, and functional outcome studies
• Health services, disparities, and access-to-care research
• Multidisciplinary care models and policy perspectives

Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu is currently a professor in the Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine. Dr. Seetharamu’s clinical and research focus are cancers of the head, neck and thorax. She serves as the System Head for Thoracic and Head and Neck Oncology at Northwell Heath. She is currently the principal investigator of many investigator-initiated, industry-sponsored, as well as cooperative group studies at the Zuckerberg Cancer Center.

Dr. Sagar Rakshit is an attending physician in the Don Monti Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Northwell Health. Dr. Rakshit’s clinical and research focus are cancers of the head, neck and thorax. He has published numerous articles on use of AI and biomarkers in thoracic malignancy.