Guest Editors
Prof. Dr. Snježana Kaštelan
Email: snjezana.kastelan@mef.hr
Affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Hospital Dubrava; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Homepage:
Research Interests: Ocular oncology, melanoma, glaucoma, retinal diseases, dry eye disease, biomarkers in ocular and systemic diseases
Prof. Dr. Ivica Lukšić
Email: luksic@kbd.hr
Affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Homepage:
Research Interests: Head & Neck Cancer Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of Head & Neck, Salivary Gland Tumour, Oral Cavity Carcinoma
Prof. Dr. Jelena Juri Mandić
Email: jmiklau@gmail.com
Affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Homepage:
Research Interests: Orbital and periocular oncology in children and adults, congenital orbital neoplasms and anomalies, melanoma, secondary ocular hypertension, dry eye disease, biomarkers in ocular and systemic diseases, thyroid eye disease, and idiopathic orbital inflammation
Dr. Matija Mamić
Email: mmamic1@kbd.hr
Affiliation: University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University Hospital Dubrava, Avenue Gojko Susak 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Homepage:
Research Interests: maxillofacial surgery, head & neck surgery, head & neck oncology, orthognathic surgery, facial plastic surgery
Summary
Craniofacial, intracranial, and ocular cancers, including orbital, intraocular, and adnexal tumours, salivary gland neoplasms, sinonasal and maxillofacial malignancies, facial skin melanomas, and skull base tumours, constitute a highly heterogeneous and clinically challenging group of diseases. Their anatomical complexity, proximity to vital neurovascular and visual structures, and significant impact on patient function and quality of life create major challenges for diagnosis and treatment. Optimal management necessitates close collaboration among ophthalmologists, maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, neurosurgeons, dermatologists, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. Despite advances in therapy, survival outcomes remain less than ideal, and treatment-related morbidity is common.
This Special Issue will highlight emerging diagnostic strategies and biomarkers, including genetic and epigenetic alterations (e.g., GNAQ/GNA11, BAP1, RB1, BRAF/NRAS/NF1, TERT), liquid biopsy, multi-omics, radiogenomics, and artificial intelligence–assisted diagnostics. It will also highlight progress in imaging techniques such as high-resolution MRI, PET/CT, advanced CT, optical coherence tomography (OCT), hyperspectral and functional imaging, which are revolutionising early detection, staging, and monitoring. On the therapeutic front, submissions are encouraged on next-generation systemic treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, tebentafusp, and CAR-T cells, as well as advanced radiotherapy methods such as proton and carbon ion therapy. Special focus will be given to innovative surgical strategies, including minimally invasive, anatomical, and function-preserving techniques developed across surgical specialities. Optimal treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, neurosurgeons, dermatologists, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. Despite advances in surgical techniques, systemic therapies, and radiotherapy, outcomes for many patients remain unsatisfactory, and treatment-related morbidity continues to be substantial.
By integrating molecular oncology, imaging science, and precision medicine, this special issue aims to progress multidisciplinary care and enhance survival, function, and quality of life for patients with craniofacial, intracranial, and ocular malignancies.
Keywords
Craniofacial cancers; Intracranial tumours; Ocular tumours; Maxillofacial malignancies; Skull base tumours; Biomarkers; Radiogenomics; Advanced imaging; Artificial intelligence; Precision oncology; Immunotherapy; Function- and anatomy-sparing surgery
Login
Register
Submit a Paper
Propose a Special lssue