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Balgobind S, Cheung VKY, Luk P, Low THH, Wykes J, Wu R, Lee J, Ch'ng S, Palme CE, Clark JR, Gupta R. Prognostic and predictive biomarkers in head and neck cancer: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe. Pathology 2024; 56:170-185. [PMID: 38218691 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
A biomarker is a measurable indicator of biological or pathological processes or the response to an exposure or intervention and is used to guide management decisions. In head and neck pathology, biomarkers are assessed by histological criteria and immunohistochemical and molecular studies. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of management of many head and neck malignancies. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy may be administered depending on the presence of adverse prognostic factors identified on histopathological or immunohistochemical examination. In this review, we outline the clinically relevant prognostic and predictive factors in head and neck malignancies including conventionally recognised factors such as tumour size, depth of invasion, lymphovascular and perineural invasion and margin status as well as novel evolving factors such as recurrent genetic rearrangements and assessment of immune checkpoints. Practical issues are discussed to assist with recognising and reporting of these factors. A summary of useful tools such as structured pathology report formats is also included to assist with comprehensive reporting of all clinically relevant parameters, minimise risk and improve workflow efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sapna Balgobind
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Veronica K Y Cheung
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Luk
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tsu-Hui Hubert Low
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Sydney Facial Nerve Service, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - James Wykes
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Raymond Wu
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenny Lee
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Sydney Ch'ng
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Carsten E Palme
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Clark
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Sydney Facial Nerve Service, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruta Gupta
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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