Oncogens in ENT and head and neck - a review

With the exploration of new horizons in the frontiers of genetic linkage with head and neck cancer by advanced molecular biological technique it may be possible to know the various steps involved in the cancer development and new prognostic markers for not only predicting prognosis but also progression and predisposition including routine diagnostic tests for mutantgenes for a better diagnosis and treatment of squamous cell cancers of head and neck. Various oncogens and their products so far identified are ras, myc, c-erb, Bl, PRAD-.l, int-2, hst-1 and p 53 etc with lirikage to head and neck malignancy. The HLA gene association is the most convincing evidence for the role of genetics in the aetiology of nasopharyngeal cancer. EGFR looks to be a promising prognostic indicator as its interaction with the polypeptide epidermal growth factor stimulates proliferation of target cells.