Sex hormones in head and neck cancer: Current knowledge and perspectives

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is an increasing problem worldwide. Oral carcinogenesis is a highly complex multifocal process. Molecular mechanisms contributing to initiation and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are still poorly known. Endocrine microenvironment is another imperative factor beside other well-documented risk factors like tobacco smoking, alcohol and infections in causing cancers of head and neck. These endocrine hormones play a role in tumor progression in case of cancers characteristically expressing sex hormone receptors, and it has been proven that these receptors also reside outside the sex organs in the larynx and lungs. However, the role of sex hormones in HNC is controversial, and few studies have been conducted to delineate their role in HNC. So, this review article is an attempt to draw an attention towards the potential role of sex hormones in pathogenesis of HNC and potential therapeutic modalities to prevent onset and progression of cancer.