Resumen
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer, causing almost half a million deaths worldwide every year. The two subtypes of HNC are distinctly associated with smoking/drinking and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. While the incidence of non-viral HNC is decreasing, HPV-positive HNC incidence has dramatically increased in the last few decades. Accumulating evidence from numerous studies shows molecular and clinical differences in mutations, gene expression regulation, treatment responses, and patient survival rates between HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNC. Here, we discuss the current status of HNC research and clinical approaches and suggest unanswered questions and future directions.