The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Oncology

Karthik N Rao; Veronica Fernandez-Alvarez; Orlando Guntinas-Lichius; M P Sreeram; Remco de Bree; Luiz P Kowalski; Arlene Forastiere; Pia Pace-Asciak; Juan P Rodrigo; Nabil F Saba; Ohad Ronen; Ewa Florek; Gregory W Randolph; Alvaro Sanabria; Jan B Vermorken; Ehab Y Hanna; Alfio Ferlito

doi:10.1007/s12325-025-03198-4

The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Oncology

Karthik N Rao^*, Veronica Fernandez-Alvarez, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, M P Sreeram, Remco de Bree, Luiz P Kowalski, Arlene Forastiere, Pia Pace-Asciak, Juan P Rodrigo, Nabil F Saba, Ohad Ronen, Ewa Florek, Gregory W Randolph, Alvaro Sanabria, Jan B Vermorken, Ehab Y Hanna, Alfio Ferlito

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing head and neck oncology, offering innovations in tumor detection, treatment planning, and patient management. However, its integration into clinical practice is hindered by several limitations. These include clinician mistrust due to a lack of understanding of AI mechanisms, biases in algorithm development, and the potential over-reliance on technology, which may undermine clinical expertise. Data-related challenges, such as inconsistent quality and limited representativeness of datasets, further complicate AI’s application. Ethical, legal, and privacy concerns also pose significant barriers. Addressing these issues through transparent AI systems, clinician education, and clear regulations is essential for ensuring responsible, equitable use in head and neck oncology. This manuscript explores the limitations of AI in head and neck oncology.

Original language	English
Article number	e48633
Pages (from-to)	2559-2568
Number of pages	10
Journal	Advances in Therapy
Volume	42
Issue number	6
Early online date	29 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-025-03198-4
Publication status	Published - Jun 2025

Keywords

Algorithm bias
Artificial intelligence
Clinical decision support systems
Head and neck neoplasms
Limitations

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Rao, K. N., Fernandez-Alvarez, V., Guntinas-Lichius, O., Sreeram, M. P., de Bree, R., Kowalski, L. P., Forastiere, A., Pace-Asciak, P., Rodrigo, J. P., Saba, N. F., Ronen, O., Florek, E., Randolph, G. W., Sanabria, A., Vermorken, J. B., Hanna, E. Y., & Ferlito, A. (2025). The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Oncology. Advances in Therapy, 42(6), 2559-2568. Article e48633. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-025-03198-4

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abstract = "Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing head and neck oncology, offering innovations in tumor detection, treatment planning, and patient management. However, its integration into clinical practice is hindered by several limitations. These include clinician mistrust due to a lack of understanding of AI mechanisms, biases in algorithm development, and the potential over-reliance on technology, which may undermine clinical expertise. Data-related challenges, such as inconsistent quality and limited representativeness of datasets, further complicate AI{\textquoteright}s application. Ethical, legal, and privacy concerns also pose significant barriers. Addressing these issues through transparent AI systems, clinician education, and clear regulations is essential for ensuring responsible, equitable use in head and neck oncology. This manuscript explores the limitations of AI in head and neck oncology.",

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Rao, KN, Fernandez-Alvarez, V, Guntinas-Lichius, O, Sreeram, MP, de Bree, R, Kowalski, LP, Forastiere, A, Pace-Asciak, P, Rodrigo, JP, Saba, NF, Ronen, O, Florek, E, Randolph, GW, Sanabria, A, Vermorken, JB, Hanna, EY & Ferlito, A 2025, 'The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Oncology', Advances in Therapy, vol. 42, no. 6, e48633, pp. 2559-2568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-025-03198-4

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AU - Fernandez-Alvarez, Veronica

AU - Guntinas-Lichius, Orlando

AU - Sreeram, M P

AU - de Bree, Remco

AU - Kowalski, Luiz P

AU - Forastiere, Arlene

AU - Pace-Asciak, Pia

AU - Rodrigo, Juan P

AU - Saba, Nabil F

AU - Ronen, Ohad

AU - Florek, Ewa

AU - Randolph, Gregory W

AU - Sanabria, Alvaro

AU - Vermorken, Jan B

AU - Hanna, Ehab Y

AU - Ferlito, Alfio

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AB - Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing head and neck oncology, offering innovations in tumor detection, treatment planning, and patient management. However, its integration into clinical practice is hindered by several limitations. These include clinician mistrust due to a lack of understanding of AI mechanisms, biases in algorithm development, and the potential over-reliance on technology, which may undermine clinical expertise. Data-related challenges, such as inconsistent quality and limited representativeness of datasets, further complicate AI’s application. Ethical, legal, and privacy concerns also pose significant barriers. Addressing these issues through transparent AI systems, clinician education, and clear regulations is essential for ensuring responsible, equitable use in head and neck oncology. This manuscript explores the limitations of AI in head and neck oncology.

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JO - Advances in Therapy

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The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Oncology

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