About ASHNO

Asian Society of Head & Neck Oncology (ASHNO) stands as a uniquely Asia-based, truly multidisciplinary platform dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with head and neck neoplasms and related diseases, building on the traditions and structures established by leading regional and international head and neck oncology societies.

Origins in a Global Movement

ASHNO was initiated on July 21, 2008 in San Francisco, reflecting Asian resolve to create its own regional society within the global head and neck oncology community. ASHNO was conceived to unify expertise and accelerate progress in head and neck cancer care.

A Society from Asia

The mission of ASHNO is rooted in the clinical reality, diversity, and unmet needs of patients across Asia, where tumor epidemiology, resource availability, and care pathways differ significantly from Western or other international regions. By bringing together specialists and societies from across the continent, ASHNO provides an Asian voice and perspective in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of head and neck neoplasms. The society biennial congresses in rotating Asian host countries create recurring opportunities for regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and consensus‑building tailored to Asian practice environments.

Multidisciplinary at its Core

ASHNO was founded explicitly as a multidisciplinary society, welcoming clinicians and scientists involved in every aspect of head and neck oncology. Membership is open to specialists from otolaryngology and head & neck surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, medical and radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, oral pathology, and basic or translational research science. This broad inclusion unites surgeons, oncologists, imaging specialists, pathologists, allied health professionals, and researchers around common goals in research, education, and patient care.

A Pan-Asian Network of Excellence of Regional Hosts

ASHNO serves as the primary nexus for national head and neck oncology societies throughout the continent, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that transcends borders. By integrating the collective expertise of its member organizations, ASHNO ensures that regional insights drive global progress. This robust network includes leading national bodies such as:

• Foundation for Head and Neck Oncology, India (FHNO)
• Indonesian Head and Neck Oncologist Society (IHNOS)
• Japan Society for Head and Neck Surgery (JSHNS)
• Korean Society for Head and Neck Oncology (KSHNO)
• Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgeons (MSOHNS)
• Philippine Academy for Head and Neck Surgery (PAHNS)
• Taiwan Head and Neck Society (THNS)
• Thai Society for Head and Neck Oncology (TSHNO)
• Vietnamese Society of Head and Neck Oncology (VSHNO)

Future of ASHNO: Asian leadership, global impact

Looking ahead, ASHNO is positioned to serve as the primary Asian forum where epidemiological realities, clinical innovations, and health‑system challenges in head and neck oncology are addressed collectively. Through its biennial congresses, collaborative research, and partnerships with societies such as AHNS, EHNS and IFHNOS. ASHNO can help shape global standards while ensuring that Asian data, perspectives, and needs are fully represented.

By nurturing multidisciplinary teams, mentoring young professionals, and promoting ethical, patient‑centered care, ASHNO aims to translate the richness and diversity of Asian experience into tangible gains in survival, function, and quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer. In doing so, the Society not only speaks “from Asia” but also contributes decisively “to the world” in the ongoing effort to prevent and conquer head and neck malignancies.