The neoplastic pathology of the head and neck is characterized by a wide variety of tumor types and histologic variants. Recent evidence has shown that in addition to physical and chemical carcinogens, viral infections such as EBV, HPV, and Merkel cell polyomavirus(MCV), specific translocations play an important etiologic role in some tumors, such as poorly differentiated sinonasal carcinomas [t(15;19)] and mucoepidermoid carcinomas [t(11;19)]. HPV is significant etiologic factor in a subset of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck; however, optimal HPV detection methods and the impact of HPV positivity on the selection of treatment modalities are less well understood. Recent evidence has shown that some of the “idiopathic” pseudotumoral lesions of the head and neck are members of the group of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases; however more research is needed to determine exact diagnostic and differential diagnostic criteria for these lesions.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles and review articles focusing on the pathogenesis, cytogenetics, and molecular pathology of head and neck neoplasms and their precursors, as well as their early detection, chemoprevention, and prediction of treatment success. We are particularly interested in articles describing implications of new diagnostic tools in head and neck malignancies and their precursors and the impact of new cytogenetic and molecular pathologic data for the better understanding and diagnosis of head and neck malignancies. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Recent advances in oral and upper aerodigestive tract dysplasia
• Poorly differentiated neoplasms of the sinonasal area
• IgG4-related lesions of the head and neck: a new look at “inflammatory pseudotumors” of the head and neck
• New developments in the pathogenesis and progression through dedifferentiation of salivary gland tumors
• New developments in HPV-related head and neck tumors
• Clinically significant and diagnostically challenging variants of SCC
• Recent advances in the study of lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in head and neck tumors of the head and neck
• Predictors of chemoradiation response in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/pri/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: