Classification of tumors of the head and neck has evolved in recent decades including a widespread application of molecular testing in tumors of the sinonasal tract, salivary glands, and soft tissues with a predilection for the head and neck. The availability of new molecular techniques has allowed for the definition of multiple novel tumor types unique to head and neck sites. Moreover, an expanding spectrum of immunohistochemical markers specific to genetic alterations facilitates rapid identification of diagnostic molecular abnormalities. As such, it is currently possible for head and neck pathologists to benefit from a molecularly defined tumor classification while making diagnoses that are still based largely on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This review covers the principal molecular alterations in sinonasal malignancies, such as alterations in DEK, AFF2, NUTM1, IDH1-2, and SWI/SNF genes in particular, that are important from a practical standpoint for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to treatment.

• Keywords
• Head and neck, Molecular diagnostics, Next-generation sequencing, Sinonasal, Sinonasal tumor, Soft tissue,
• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Biomarkers, Tumor * genetics   analysis   MeSH
• Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms * pathology   genetics   classification   diagnosis   MeSH
• World Health Organization MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biomarkers, Tumor * MeSH

Classification of head and neck tumors has evolved in recent decades including a widespread application of molecular testing in tumors of the salivary glands, sinonasal tract, oropharynx, nasopharynx, and soft tissue. Availability of new molecular techniques allowed for the definition of multiple novel tumor types unique to head and neck sites. Moreover, the expanding spectrum of immunohistochemical markers facilitates a rapid identification of diagnostic molecular abnormalities. As such, it is currently possible for head and neck pathologists to benefit from a molecularly defined classifications, while making diagnoses that are still based largely on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This review highlights some principal molecular alterations in head and neck neoplasms presently available to assist pathologists in the practice of diagnosis, prognostication and prediction of response to treatment.

• Keywords
• Head and neck, Molecular diagnostics, Next-generation sequencing, Salivary gland, Sinonasal tumor, Soft tissue,
• MeSH
• Immunohistochemistry MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pathology, Molecular * MeSH
• Head and Neck Neoplasms * diagnosis   genetics   MeSH
• Pathologists MeSH
• Salivary Glands MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH