Foreword

Foreword by Madan Kapre

It is a privilege to foreword this research book which is unique in ways more than one. I congratulate Assoc. Prof. Norhafiza Mat Lazim for her great initiative in conceptualizing this book. This book is in the arena of uncharted territory which will, in years to come, demand more attention and work. Assoc. Prof. Norhafiza Mat Lazim has shown that path into future thinking for all of us in this book.

The book offers several chapters in a systemic way written by competent authorities in their area of work.

We are increasingly aware that there are biomarkers which almost define the biological behavior of the tumor. This biomarker is used in diagnostic workup as detailed in the book which will guide the treatment planning. The book also deals with the detection of other virological markers which will help to prevent and plan surgical / radiation therapy.

The relation between the inflammatory process and malignancy is beautifully mentioned in the chapters. Prof. Norhafiza Mat Lazim has clarified the cascade of chemical reactions in inflammation and malignancy. She has driven similarities and conclusions. In her words, she has an opened a window of opportunity to control/ treat head and neck cancer by intervening biochemically at these cascades. This philosophy of drawing parallels in inflammation and malignancy reflects through this book. Author compels us to revisit and strategize our treatment policies by studying the micro-environment, a complex ecosystem.

I wish Prof. Norhafiza Mat Lazim great success not only with this book but also for her in future in this new philosophy of micro-environment and complex eco system of the cancer cells. I also acknowledge the great contribution of all other contributory authors. I am sure this book will make very interesting reading and open a window of sort.

Foreword by Naoki Otsuki

I am honored to write a foreword to the publication of this wonderful book. First of all, I would like to congratulate Assoc. Prof. Norhafiza Mat Lazim for making this book. I met Assoc. Prof. Lazim at the same session at the 2017 ASHNO conference in Bali, Indonesia. She presented the results of her basic research at this session. At this time, I found out that she was not only an excellent head and neck surgeon, but also an outstanding scientist in basic research on head and neck cancer. Two years later, I heard about a plan to publish a book on inflammation ecosystem in head and neck cancer, and now we have a wonderful and unique book like this.

Physiological inflammation is one of the body's initial immune defenses against infection and tissue damage. Researchers have previously identified that inflammation is frequently associated with tumor progression, but the underlying mechanisms to contribute to proinflammatory tumorigenesis are not fully understood. Much evidence has emerged regarding the infiltration of inflammatory cells into tissues and their contribution to the deleterious alterations of DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and metabolites in the local tissue microenvironment of chemical mediators.

In this book, based on the knowledge about the inflammatory ecosystem that has been obtained in the area of ​​head and neck cancer, risk factors in development, diagnostic tools, biomarkers, the role of inflammation in the microenvironment associated with treatment, and tumor-related factors as therapeutic targets are also mentioned. This book brings new research into inflammatory ecosystems to significant progress in developing, diagnosing, and treating head and neck cancer.

Finally, I wish Professor Lazim a success in future, who has made a generous contribution to this book's production, and I would like to thank all other contributory authors who wrote this book.