Applications of radiomics in precision diagnosis, prognostication and treatment planning of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Recent advancements in computational power, machine learning, and artificial intelligence technology have enabled automated evaluation of medical images to generate quantitative diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Such objective biomarkers are readily available and have the potential to improve personalized treatment, precision medicine, and patient selection for clinical trials. In this article, we explore the merits of the most recent addition to the "-omics" concept for the broader field of head and neck cancer - "Radiomics". This review discusses radiomics studies focused on (molecular) characterization, classification, prognostication and treatment guidance for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). We review the underlying hypothesis, general concept and typical workflow of radiomic analysis, and elaborate on current and future challenges to be addressed before routine clinical application.