Head and neck malignancy is a critical disease across the globe as its
incidence is on the rise. This malignancy comprises the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx,
nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, nasopharynx, salivary glands, and thyroid malignancies.
Multiple known risk factors have been strongly associated with the majority of these
malignancies. Importantly, the majority of these known risk factors are intricately
involved in the inflammation and its ecosystem. Of note, inflammation cascades and
inflammatory markers play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of head and neck
malignancy. Thus, it is crucial to understand the true process of each identified risk
factor and its related inflammation process in the etiopathogenesis of head and neck
malignancy. This can serve as an effective platform for the future development of
potential agents for screening, prevention, and treatment of head and neck malignancy.
This chapter will discuss the significant risk factors of head and neck malignancy and
highlight the spectrum of inflammation process that governs the basis of carcinogenesis
and its etiopathogenesis.
Keywords: Alcohol, Dietary factor, Epstein Barr virus (EBV), Head and neck
malignancy, Human papilloma virus (HPV), Inflammatory markers,
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Smoking.
