The squamous cells that line the mucosal surfaces of the head and neck, such as those in the mouth, throat, and voice box, are where most malignancies that are typically referred to as head and neck cancers begin their journey. In addition to the salivary glands, sinuses, muscles, and nerves in the head and neck, other head and neck malignancies can also start there, but they are considerably less typical than squamous cell carcinomas.
Owing to the complexity and multiple subsites head and neck cancers necessitate a multidisciplinary approach with trimodality therapy. The organ-preservation method or surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy (aRT), is the cornerstone of treatment for locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).