AccScience Publishing / CP / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/CP025040006
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MINI-REVIEW

Artificial intelligence and surgical robotics in the future of head-and-neck cancer care

Marwan Al-Raeei1*
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1 Unit of Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
2 Unit of Quality, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, International University for Science and Technology, Ghabagheb, Syrian Arab Republic
CP, 025040006 https://doi.org/10.36922/CP025040006
Received: 21 January 2025 | Revised: 16 September 2025 | Accepted: 10 October 2025 | Published online: 31 October 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in advancing head-and-neck cancer diagnosis and treatment, significantly impacting patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. We explore how AI-driven technologies are revolutionizing clinical practices. AI-driven surgical robotics enables highly accurate, minimally invasive procedures by providing real-time intraoperative guidance and analyzing complex imaging data, thus improving surgical success rates and reducing complications. Similarly, AI-driven remote monitoring systems facilitate continuous, non-invasive tracking of disease progression, treatment adherence, and early detection of recurrence, allowing for timely interventions and personalized care adjustments. These innovations enhance diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic precision, patient engagement, and resource utilization, leading to a better quality of life. However, several challenges hinder widespread AI adoption, including concerns over data privacy and security, algorithm bias due to unrepresentative datasets, variability in data quality, and regulatory and ethical issues regarding accountability and transparency. Implementation barriers, such as that in integration with existing workflows, clinician acceptance, and resource limitations, further complicate deployment, especially in low-resource settings. Despite these hurdles, we demonstrate that the potential benefits of AI—improved diagnostic accuracy, personalized treatment, and proactive disease management—are substantial. Addressing these challenges through robust data governance, validation, and ethical frameworks is essential for safe and equitable AI integration. We conclude that ongoing technological and methodological advancements will continue to enhance the efficacy and accessibility of AI in head cancer care. We emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts, regulatory support, and ethical standards to fully realize AI’s transformative potential, ultimately leading to more precise, patient-centered, and effective head-and-neck cancer management.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Artificial intelligence
Head-and-neck cancer
Surgical robots
Remote monitoring systems
Healthcare technology
Funding
The work was funded by Damascus University (grant no: 20245760), the International University for Science and Technology (grant no: I6452025), the Al-Andalus University for Medical Sciences (grant no: 20045), and Cordoba University (grant no: 45600).
Conflict of interest
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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Cancer Plus, Electronic ISSN: 2661-3840 Print ISSN: 2661-3832, Published by AccScience Publishing
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