[Prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck]

The clinical and histological factors predicting survival of patients with head and neck cancer were discussed. Recent reports with multivariate analysis focusing on clinical prognostic factors revealed that staging of nodal metastases is most significant. Number and size of metastatic nodes can be evaluated as factors to predict the outcome of advanced cancer. The number of positive nodes over 4 may be associated with poor prognosis. A scoring system of histological grading has been developed at this primary site. The mode of invasion or depth of invasion of cancer may predict the metastases to regional nodes. The research on molecular pathology is ongoing in head and neck cancer. No independent prognostic factor is yet available in clinical practice.