Head and neck cancer encompasses a diverse group of malignant neoplasms originating in regions such as the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, sinonasal cavities, and salivary glands. HNC represents a significant public health challenge, and recent reports indicate an increment in the incidence of HNC in young adults. In 2020, approximately 377,700 new HNC cases and 177,800 HNC-related deaths were reported globally. Major risk factors include tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. HNC impacts vital functions such as breathing, swallowing, and speech. Treatments for this type of cancer within this complex anatomy include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy combinations. Radiotherapy is often an essential component of both curative and palliative HNC treatment, balancing tumor control with the preservation of function and appearance. However, its use can damage adjacent normal tissues, causing acute or chronic toxicity. One complication of HNC irradiation is VF fibrosis, which leads to severe voice impairments, significantly affecting patients’ quality of life. Fibrosis involves excessive and aberrant deposition of extracellular matrix, driven by factors such as TGF-β1 and inflammatory cytokines, which ultimately impair the flexibility and function of VF. Current radiation-induced fibrosis treatments primarily focus on symptom management and include systemic therapies like corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antioxidants. However, these treatments have limited efficacy. Experimental approaches targeting molecular pathways involved in fibrosis are being explored. Given the limitations of these treatments, advancing research is crucial to develop more effective therapeutic strategies that can significantly improve the quality of life for HNC patients, especially those vulnerable to VF fibrosis.
头颈部癌是一组异质性恶性肿瘤，起源于口腔、口咽、下咽、喉、鼻腔鼻窦及唾液腺等区域。头颈部癌构成重大的公共卫生挑战，近期报告显示其在年轻人群中的发病率有所上升。2020年全球报告约37.77万新发头颈部癌病例及17.78万相关死亡病例。主要危险因素包括吸烟、饮酒及人乳头瘤病毒感染。头颈部癌影响呼吸、吞咽及言语等重要功能。针对这一复杂解剖区域的癌症治疗包括手术、放疗及化疗的联合应用。放疗在头颈部癌的根治性和姑息性治疗中常作为关键组成部分，需在肿瘤控制与功能外观保护间取得平衡。然而放疗可能损伤邻近正常组织，引发急性或慢性毒性反应。头颈部癌放疗的并发症之一为声带纤维化，可导致严重发声障碍，显著影响患者生活质量。纤维化过程涉及细胞外基质的过度异常沉积，由TGF-β1和炎性细胞因子等因子驱动，最终损害声带的弹性和功能。当前针对放射性纤维化的治疗主要集中于症状管理，包括皮质类固醇、抗炎药物和抗氧化剂等全身性疗法，但疗效有限。目前正在探索针对纤维化相关分子通路的实验性治疗方法。鉴于现有治疗的局限性，推进研究以开发更有效的治疗策略至关重要，这将显著改善头颈部癌患者的生活质量，特别是对声带纤维化易感患者。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家