The Oral Microbiome and Head and Neck Cancer: A Narrative Review

In recent years, a growing body of evidence points to a link between alterations in the oral microbiome and the development and progression of head and neck cancer (HNC). At present, however, this highly complex relationship is only partially understood. In this context, there is a clear need to characterise and differentiate microbial profiles in patients with and without HNC to identify risk factors, prognostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. In the present narrative review, we synthesize the current evidence on the role of oral dysbiosis in HNC, with a particular focus on potential biomarkers and novel treatment and prevention strategies.