Oral cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity and is characterized by high malignancy, invasive growth, and early lymph node metastasis. Globally, more than 350000 individuals are diagnosed with oral cancer each year with an increasing annual trend. The 5-year survival rate of oral cancer patients is around 50% but decreases dramatically to 20-30% in patients with advanced disease. Consequentially, oral cancer is a critical disease threatening mortality and imposing a great financial burden upon society. Therefore, it is of great importance to determine the underlying mechanism of the development of oral cancer, develop new diagnostic technologies with greater accuracy and timeliness, and update the clinical strategic management of oral cancer.

At present, the potential mechanism of oral cancer pathogenesis and the key molecular markers in this process need to be further investigated. This includes researching changes in tumor microenvironment constructed by the cells, cytokines, the vasculature, and the extracellular matrix, and the intricate “cross-talk” between massive components. In addition, due to the anatomical location, postoperative oral structure, function and anaesthetic recovery of oral cancer, current clinical treatment methods including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, may lead to disfiguration, dysfunction, and psychosocial distress. Nonetheless, recent advances in diagnosis and treatment technologies have resulted in substantial improvement in patient outcomes. Advances in traditional diagnostic technologies, combined with novel diagnostic methods such as desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), have been employed to further understand the metabolic characteristics in situ, detect key evolution processes of oral cancer, and evaluate surgical margins. Notably, the introduction of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic oral cancer has had remarkable benefits for some patients. Furthermore, improvements in standard therapy, such as minimally invasive, organ-sparing surgical techniques, advances in radiotherapy, and curative multimodal approaches, have enhanced preservation of function and have reduced morbidity and mortality.

This Special Issue aims to bring together advances in pathogenesis and diagnostic aspects, progress in clinical strategic management, and applications of cutting-edge therapeutic techniques such as artificial intelligence and computer technology in the field of oral cancer. Original research and review articles discussing our potential topics are welcomed. In particular, we invite researchers to share their innovative ideas on oral cancer.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• The role of poor oral hygiene habits (such as heavy smoking, alcoholism, betel-nut chewing, human papillomavirus, and Epstein-Barr virus infection) in the development and pathogenesis of oral precancerous lesions or oral cancer
• Key or pivotal molecular signals and their spatiotemporal properties in initiation and progression of oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer
• Metabonomic study on oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer
• Advances in conventional diagnostic techniques (such as ultrasonic or x-ray examination, biopsy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography) for oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer
• Novel diagnostic strategies (such as autofluorescence spectra analysis, electrical impedance spectroscopy, desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, electrical impedance spectroscopy) for oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer