Head and neck pathology in India: Past, present, and future

We provide a snapshot of the development of the field of head and neck pathology in India. We take a look at the history from its origin in the early pre-Independence days and its journey through the growing years in the middle decades to its current stage. The landscape of head and neck pathology in India has been dominated by the pathology of oral squamous cancers, largely driven by tobacco-related carcinogens and influenced by habits, social, cultural, dietary and a multitude of epidemiological and genetic factors. Many head and neck pathologists, oral pathologists, surgeons, epidemiologists, molecular biologists—including Khanolkar, Sanghvi, Borges, and Daftary—have collaborated and shaped the narrative of head and neck pathology over many decades constantly driving the field forward. Over the years, the focus has widened from squamous cell cancers to expand to other subsites, including salivary gland, sinonasal pathology, recently described entities, molecular studies, and application of artificial intelligence for prediction and prognostication in head and neck pathology. Standing tall on the shoulders of the pioneers of pathology, the field of head and neck pathology in India has made long strides. While many challenges still remain, head and neck pathology in India is ready to leap into a brighter future.