Head and neck cancers are a heterogeneous group of diseases. The development of these tumors is a conse­quence of genetic mutations which influene the activity of oncogenes such as CCND1, c-myc, erbB and ras, as well as the function of tumor suppressor genes: p53, Rb, p16, p21, and p27. The investigation of these genetic changes has been done through the application of a variety of ge­netic methods. The knowledge of the genetic changes which occur in the mucosa of the head and neck region through the different steps of tumorogenesis is very impor­tant for both patient and diagnosis and treatment.

Key words: Head and neck tumors; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); Oncogenes; Tumor suppressor genes.