NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Head and Neck Cancers, Version 2.2025
Featured Updates to the NCCN Guidelines
Search for other papers by A. Dimitrios Colevas in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Anthony J. Cmelak in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by David G. Pfister in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sharon Spencer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Douglas Adkins in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Andrew C. Birkeland in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by David M. Brizel in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Paul M. Busse in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jimmy J. Caudell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Greg Durm in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Carole Fakhry in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Thomas Galloway in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jessica L. Geiger in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Maura L. Gillison in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Christine Glastonbury in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Robert I. Haddad in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Wesley L. Hicks Jr in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ying J. Hitchcock in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Antonio Jimeno in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Aditya Juloori in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Michael Kase in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Debra Leizman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ellie Maghami in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Loren K. Mell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Bharat B. Mittal in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Harlan A. Pinto in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Katharine Price in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by James W. Rocco in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Cristina P. Rodriguez in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by David Schwartz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jatin P. Shah in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by David Sher in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Maie St. John in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by He Wang in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Gregory Weinstein in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Francis Worden in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Justine Yang Bruce in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sue S. Yom in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Weining Zhen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sarah Montgomery in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Susan D. Darlow in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
The NCCN Guidelines for Head and Neck Cancers address tumors arising in the oral cavity (including mucosal lip), pharynx, larynx, and paranasal sinuses, as well as occult primary cancer, salivary gland cancer, and mucosal melanoma (MM). The specific site of disease, stage, and pathologic findings guide treatment (eg, the appropriate surgical procedure, radiation targets, dose and fractionation of radiation, indications for systemic therapy). The NCCN Head and Neck Cancers Panel meets at least annually to review comments from reviewers within their institutions, examine relevant new data from publications and abstracts, and reevaluate and update their recommendations. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel’s most recent recommendations regarding management of nasopharynx cancer and ongoing research in this area.
Provided content development and/or authorship assistance
A. Dimitrios Colevas, Anthony J. Cmelak, David G. Pfister, Sharon Spencer, Sarah Montgomery, and Susan D. Darlow
The full and most current version of these NCCN Guidelines is available at NCCN.org.
NCCN CATEGORIES OF EVIDENCE AND CONSENSUS
Category 1: Based upon high-level evidence (≥1 randomized phase 3 trials or high-quality, robust meta-analyses), there is uniform NCCN consensus (≥85% support of the Panel) that the intervention is appropriate.
Category 2A: Based upon lower-level evidence, there is uniform NCCN consensus (≥85% support of the Panel) that the intervention is appropriate.
Category 2B: Based upon lower-level evidence, there is NCCN consensus (≥50%, but <85% support of the Panel) that the intervention is appropriate.
Category 3: Based upon any level of evidence, there is major NCCN disagreement that the intervention is appropriate.
All recommendations are category 2A unless otherwise indicated.
NCCN CATEGORIES OF PREFERENCE
Preferred intervention: Interventions that are based on superior efficacy, safety, and evidence; and, when appropriate, affordability.
Other recommended intervention: Other interventions that may be somewhat less efficacious, more toxic, or based on less mature data; or significantly less affordable for similar outcomes.
Useful in certain circumstances: Other interventions that may be used for selected patient populations (defined with recommendation).
All recommendations are considered appropriate.
NCCN recognizes the importance of clinical trials and encourages participation when applicable and available. Trials should be designed to maximize inclusiveness and broad representative enrollment.
PLEASE NOTE
The NCCN Guidelines® are a statement of evidence and consensus of the authors regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment.
The NCCN Guidelines® Insights highlight important changes in the NCCN Guidelines® recommendations from previous versions. Colored markings in the algorithm show changes and the discussion aims to further understanding of these changes by summarizing salient portions of the panel’s discussion, including the literature reviewed.
The NCCN Guidelines Insights do not represent the full NCCN Guidelines; further, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN® ) makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the content, use, or application of the NCCN Guidelines and NCCN Guidelines Insights and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
© 2019-2024 National Comprehensive Cancer Network