Human whole tumor analyses showed high and consistent EpCAM expression (primary: 9/9 > = 80%; recurrent: 6/9 > = 80%) and significantly elevated near-infrared fluorescence intensities for IRDye800CW-VU1D9 and IRDye800CW-MT201 in HNSCC as compared to non-malignant tissue (2-7 fold vs. mucosa; 6-20 fold vs. HNSCC-associated stroma). This evidence concerns the gene EPCAM and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.