SEOM–TTCC clinical guidelines for the treatment of head and neck cancer (2025)

Sep 22, 2026

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Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx represents a major cancer burden in Spain. Alcohol and tobacco are longstanding etiological drivers, while human papillomavirus (HPV) in oropharyngeal disease is becoming increasingly important. Clinical decision-making for diagnosis and relapse requires expert multidisciplinary discussion. For localized stages, surgery or radiotherapy is recommended as single-modality care; locoregional stages call for combined-modality approaches, and management of recurrence depends on curative intent versus systemic treatment. These SEOM–TTCC guidelines summarize current evidence and provide expert recommendations based on the literature.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Scope of the SEOM guideline

Etiology and risk factors

Epidemiology in Spain and global variation

Clinical and Translational Oncology (2026) 28:2056–2067 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-026-04240-9](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-026-04240-9) SEOM–TTCC clinical guidelines for the treatment of head and neck cancer (2025) Virginia Arrazubi1 · Lara Iglesias2 · Marc Oliva3 · Pedro Pérez Segura4 · Jordi Rubió‑Casadevall5 · Gemma Bruixola6 · Alberto Carral7 · Beatriz Castelo8 · Beatriz Cirauqui9 · Antonio Rueda10 Received: 8 January 2026 / Accepted: 11 January 2026 / Published online: 17 March 2026 © The Author(s) 2026 Abstract Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx comprises the ninth most common cancer in Spain. While alcohol and tobacco use have long been the primary etiological factors, the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in oropharyngeal cancer is increasing. Diagnoses and relapses should always be discussed by an expert multidisciplinary team. For localized stages, surgery or radiotherapy should be used as single-modality treatments, while locoregional stages require combined modality approaches. In the case of recurrent or metastatic disease, curative intent should be considered for patients with local recurrence or oligometastatic disease, while systemic treatment is recommended for all other cases. These guidelines, developed by the authors on behalf of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Group for the Treatment of Head and Neck Tumors (TTCC), review available evidence and provide expert recommendations based on the current literature. Keywords Head and neck cancer · Guidelines · Chemoradiotherapy · Immunotherapy * Virginia Arrazubi[varrazubi@gmail.com](varrazubi@gmail.com) Lara Iglesias [laracarmen.iglesias@salud.madrid.org](laracarmen.iglesias@salud.madrid.org) Marc Oliva [marc.oliva.bernal@gmail.com](marc.oliva.bernal@gmail.com) Pedro Pérez Segura [peregasconcto@gmail.com](peregasconcto@gmail.com) Jordi Rubió -Casadevall [jrubio@iconcologia.net](jrubio@iconcologia.net) Gemma Bruixola [gema.bruixola@gmail.com](gema.bruixola@gmail.com) Alberto Carral [alberto_carral@hotmail.com](alberto_carral@hotmail.com) Beatriz Castelo [castelobeatriz@gmail.com](castelobeatriz@gmail.com) Beatriz Cirauqui [bcirauqui@iconcologia.net](bcirauqui@iconcologia.net) Antonio Rueda [rueda.dominguez@gmail.com](rueda.dominguez@gmail.com) 1 Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain 2 Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain 3 Medical Oncology Department, Institutd’InvestigacióBiomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO) L’Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain 4 Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISC (Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Clínico San Carlos), Madrid, Spain 5 Medical Oncology Department. Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Josep Trueta, Oncogirpro Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Girona (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain 6 Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valencia-INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain 7 Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain 8 Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain 9 Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Badalona, Spain 10 Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de La Victoria, Málaga, Spain Introduction This Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) guideline focuses on epithelial malignant tumors arising from mucosal surfaces of the lip, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Nasopharyngeal, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and salivary gland cancer, which follow a different natural history and have distinctive features, are not addressed in this guideline. Furthermore, the recommendations

FAQs

Which cancers are covered by the SEOM–TTCC guideline?

The guideline focuses on epithelial malignant tumors of the lip, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx, with emphasis on squamous cell carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and salivary gland cancers are not addressed.

What are the main etiological factors for head and neck cancer in the guideline?

Alcohol and tobacco are identified as the main etiological factors in the area, with HPV infection playing an increasing role, particularly in oropharyngeal cancer. Other risks include radiation exposure, chronic infection, poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition, and betel nut chewing.

How does the recommended treatment approach vary by disease stage and recurrence?

For localized stages, surgery or radiotherapy is recommended as single-modality treatment. Locoregional stages require combined-modality approaches. For recurrent or metastatic disease, curative intent is considered for local recurrence or oligometastatic cases, while systemic treatment is recommended for other situations.

Sep 22, 2026

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