Pathology of squamous carcinomas of the head and neck.

Recent publications have been critically reviewed to illustrate some of the newer approaches that may eventually provide more precise prognostic information from tumor biopsies. Examples include changes in expression of various surface antigens, DNA ploidy, and alterations at the level of molecular genetics, eg, gene amplification. Other molecular changes in tumor tissue, such as point mutations and loss of normal tumor suppressor genes, are also giving clues to underlying carcinogenic mechanisms.