GENERAL RULES FOR PATHOLOGY OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Abstract

The most characteristic feature of the pathology of head and neck cancer is the various histological malignancies in various organs in head and neck. Last year, the 4th edition of General Rules for Clinical Practice and Pathology in Head and Neck Cancer in Japan was published. Since more than 80% of malignancies in the head and neck region are squamous cell carcinoma, the new rules describe the following items: 1) Macroscopic and microscopic findings, 2) Judgment of surgical and frozen section, 3) Intraepithelial neoplasma and dysplasia and 4) Superficial lesions of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region. The present paper explains the new general rules for pathology of head and neck cancer focusing on the above items to add useful information for head and neck surgeons and oncologists.