Treatment and Care of Patients With Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a complex and increasingly prevalent group of malignancies with high mortality and significant treatment-related morbidity. Risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, and human papillomavirus (HPV), with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers showing improved prognosis. HPV vaccination is reducing oncogenic strains and future disease burden. Common symptoms include swallowing and speech difficulties, airway obstruction, and neck masses. Multidisciplinary care remains the cornerstone of management, encompassing surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and emerging immunotherapy. This article aims to provide hospital-based clinicians with a concise overview of current innovations in HNC management. Key developments include transoral robotic surgery, radiogenomics, liquid biopsy, and the integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and treatment planning. The review also considers survivorship, caregiver burden, and the growing importance of coordinated community-based care. Emphasising patient-centred, multidisciplinary approaches, these advances aim to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by HNC across healthcare settings.