Prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

: A review of prognostic factors in oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas is presented. Distinctions are made between different kinds of prognostic predictors: external, host, and tumour predictors. The latter includes localization, stage, histological grading, DNA ploidy and biochemical characteristics. Finally, ideas on how best to utilize this knowledge and the implementation of any prophylactic measures are detailed.