Articles tagged with Head and Neck Cancer
A new study found that genetic ancestry has no correlation with head and neck cancer stage or survival for African Americans. Researchers used genetic markers to estimate West African ancestry and discovered only 5% of self-reported African Americans had more than 95% West African ancestry, similar to Caucasians.
A recent study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that head and neck cancer patients with poor sleep quality had more symptoms of chronic pain and complaints of dry mouth related to radiation treatments. The researchers suggest that reducing these factors may be warranted to improve sleep hygiene and enha...
A new U-M study shows that advanced radiation techniques can treat head and neck cancer effectively while reducing long-term swallowing complications. The study found that up to 88% of patients were cancer-free after three years, with only one patient still requiring a feeding tube.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that levels of a key type of immune cell can predict which head and neck cancer tumors are most likely to respond to chemotherapy and radiation. The study suggests a way to target treatments to avoid unnecessary side effects, with potential benefits for HPV-negative patients.
A new study from Fox Chase Cancer Center suggests that levels of ERCC1 offer a predictive marker of survival in squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. Low ERCC1 levels were associated with increased survival from adjuvant therapy, providing support for personalized medicine in these cancers.
A new accelerated radiotherapy regimen has been shown to improve disease-free survival and locoregional control without increasing late radiation side-effects in patients with head and neck cancer. The six-fraction per week schedule reduces treatment time while maintaining effective tumour control.
A recent study found that larynx preservation treatments using chemotherapy followed by radiation have a low-risk of severe voice disability, with only 15% of patients experiencing severe vocal impairment. The treatment also resulted in minimal eating or swallowing problems, with 57% of patients unaffected.
A study found that pretreatment SUVmax is a strong predictor of disease-specific survival, overall survival, and disease-free survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. Higher SUV-LN was associated with distant metastasis, suggesting more aggressive treatment approaches may be needed.
Proton beam radiation therapy has been shown to provide encouraging results for patients with locally advanced sinonasal malignancies, with high local control rates at five and eight years after treatment. The study found no significant difference in local control rates based on histological subtype, T stage, or prior surgery.
A multi-institutional randomized phase III trial analyzed 721 patients with stage III-IV carcinoma of the oral cavity oropharynx hypopharynx or larynx. The study found accelerated radiation therapy reduced chemotherapy toxicity, similar disease-free and local-regional failure rates compared to standard radiation.
Current tobacco users with HPV-positive tumors are five times more likely to experience cancer recurrence than non-users. Researchers suggest that current or former tobacco users may need a more aggressive treatment regimen.
Researchers identified 18 single-point genetic variations linked to recurrence and secondary cancer in early-stage head and neck cancer patients. Genetic variations in miRNA biogenesis genes and binding sites were associated with an increased risk of recurrence or secondary primary tumors.
A study found that combining positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) scans six to eight weeks after chemoradiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer can identify patients who will respond to treatment. The test also showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting residual disease and distant metastases.
Adding cetuximab to radiation therapy improves survival rates in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer, with benefits persisting for up to 5 years. Patients who develop a prominent rash after treatment show significantly improved overall survival compared to those without the rash.
Philanthropists Irwin and Joan Jacobs are donating $6.5 million to UCSF for head and neck cancer research, the largest private U.S. gift for this disease. The gift will establish two professorships in otolaryngology and radiation oncology, aiming to uncover molecular underpinnings of these tumors.
Combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy more than doubles event-free survival for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer without prior surgery. Non-platinum-based chemotherapy shows long-term benefit with lower toxicity compared to platinum therapies.
Researchers found that administration of APC protein slowed disease progression and extended survival in mice with inherited ALS. The study suggests activating APC might benefit patients with inherited and possibly sporadic ALS, but warns of potential risks.
A new cancer gene has been identified as the cause of adenoid cystic carcinoma, a slow-growing but deadly form of cancer. The discovery could lead to quicker diagnosis and more effective treatment through genetic testing.
A new study from Michigan Medicine links nasopharyngeal cancer to human papillomavirus (HPV), a rare type of head and neck cancer affecting less than 1 in 100,000 Americans. The researchers found that HPV-positive tumors are more responsive to chemotherapy or radiation, leading to improved survival rates.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have discovered that a DNA test can identify individuals with a higher risk of developing head and neck cancer. Nearly two thirds of tonsil tumour samples showed evidence of the HPV-16 gene, which may trigger protein production that increases cancer development.
A study presented at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting found that photodynamic therapy is effective in treating certain types of head and neck cancers. The treatment, which combines medications with a specific light therapy, can achieve organ preservation and cancer cure for superficially spread but not deeply infiltrated cancers.
Researchers have discovered 231 new genes linked to head and neck cancer, which could aid in early detection and treatment. These findings may also help monitor disease progression and patient response to therapy.
Researchers investigated the effects of curcumin on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma growths in response to nicotine. Curcumin was found to block the nicotine from activating cancer-causing cells.
A new technique for reconstructing the palate after tonsil cancer surgery has been shown to maintain patients' ability to speak clearly and eat most foods. The technique, developed at Michigan Medicine, separates the mouth from the nasal cavity and closes during swallowing, allowing patients to recover their complex throat functions.
A study found that patients who had surgery before radiation treatment are more likely to complete therapy, while those with other illnesses or chemotherapy are less likely. This highlights the importance of addressing comorbidities and toxic effects of treatment in radiation therapy.
A study published in Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that post-treatment pain in head and neck cancer patients is associated with a lower five-year survival rate and increased risk of recurrence. Pain was also linked to age, general health conditions, and treatment modality.
A groundbreaking study reveals that HPV-positive patients with head and neck cancer have significantly better survival rates than those without the virus. Blacks in the study had a low rate of HPV infection, leading to worse survival outcomes, which may explain historical disparities in prognosis.
A groundbreaking study suggests that HPV improves survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, but African Americans had fewer instances of infection, leading to worse outcomes. The research found a significant difference in median overall survival between HPV-positive and negative patients.
Researchers found that adding gefinitib to standard chemotherapy improved tolerability in advanced head and neck cancer patients, but did not increase survival rates. The combination therapy showed potential in delaying the spread of the disease.
A US citizen with head and neck cancer treated with capecitabine experienced a mild case of hand-foot syndrome, leading to fingerprint loss. His doctor advises patients on capecitabine to carry a letter explaining their condition for travel to the USA.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a genetic regulator called CTIP2 that is expressed at higher levels in aggressive types of head and neck cancers. The study found a high correlation between CTIP2 expression and the aggressive nature of cancer.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that an HDAC inhibitor, LBH589, is effective in killing head and neck cancer cells grown in the laboratory. The study identified a set of genes whose expression levels change in response to the drug, which may help doctors identify patients most likely to respond.
Researchers assessed robot-assisted surgery in treating selected head and neck cancers, finding that the procedure offers limited surgical morbidity, reduced hospital stays, and improved lesion visualization. The study involved 36 patients with oral cavity, throat, or larynx tumors, yielding successful robotic resections in 81% of cases.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that health choices at diagnosis play a major role in head and neck cancer survival. Patients with better habits such as not smoking, exercising regularly, eating enough fruits, and limiting alcohol use had longer survival times.
Researchers have identified genetic markers associated with aggressive head and neck cancer, specifically miR-205 and let-7d. These microRNA levels can predict poor survival outcomes and may lead to targeted treatment options.
Head and neck cancer patients with comorbidities have a significantly higher risk of death, with some cases increasing by up to seven-fold. The study highlights the importance of considering co-existing conditions in estimating cancer survival statistics.
A recent study found that HPV vaccination can reduce the incidence of HPV-caused cancers, particularly oral and anal cancers, which are rising in incidence. Researchers propose a simple oral screening test using 'swish and spit' rinses to detect high-risk infections.
The HPV-positive cancer cells adapted to the hypoxic environment by expressing a protein that activates a cell signaling pathway, helping them survive, grow and spread. The study may lead to new therapies targeting this pathway to interrupt cancer cell proliferation.
A non-invasive oral rinse screening method has shown promise in detecting high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in patients with head and neck cancers. The study found that oral HPV16 infections were significantly more common among patients with HPV-positive tumors, indicating a potential link between the two.
A new analysis found that African Americans and those from low-income communities have poorer survival rates for head and neck cancer, with earlier diagnosis crucial to improving outcomes. The study reveals racial disparities and socio-economic inequities in cancer treatment, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Researchers found that changes in physical health status during the first year after diagnosis can predict long-term survival. Patients who died within five years exhibited no recovery in their scores, while those who survived showed improvement at the one-year mark.
Researchers have developed new therapies targeting out-of-control growth circuits in cancer cells, leading to improved survival rates. Advances in understanding head and neck cancer have also allowed doctors to better preserve organ function and increase early detection strategies.
A new study from Saint Louis University has identified the PET-CT scanner as a reliable tool for detecting secondary cancers in head and neck cancer patients. The research suggests that this technology can replace traditional tests, allowing patients to begin treatment earlier and potentially improving outcomes.
New research from Saint Louis University found that combining nuclear medicine clinicians and treating physicians to interpret PET-CT scans reduces false positive results by 51%, resulting in fewer unnecessary biopsies. This collaboration improves scan accuracy, sparring patients from painful and potentially catastrophic complications.
A phase II study found that adding cetuximab to chemotherapy improves response rates in head and neck cancer patients, with 86% of patients responding to induction treatment. The addition also led to significant tumor reduction and improved cancer-free survival rates over two years.
A U-M study found that patients with poor physical quality of life, particularly those experiencing pain, eating, and speech difficulties, are significantly less likely to survive. The researchers recommend routine quality of life assessments for head and neck cancer patients to identify potentially aggressive tumors.
A gene therapy called Advexin has shown significant improvement in survival rates for patients with end-stage head and neck cancer by restoring tumor-suppressor gene p53 expression. Patients with a favorable p53 profile experienced a median survival of 7.2 months, compared to 2.7 months for those with an unfavorable profile.
A new study suggests that taking the antidepressant citalopram before starting treatment for head and neck cancer may help prevent depression during therapy. The study found that patients who took citalopram experienced lower rates of depression compared to those who took a placebo.
A University of Nebraska Medical Center-led pilot study found that antidepressants significantly reduced the risk of depression in head and neck cancer patients. The study, led by Drs. William Lydiatt and Bill Burke, showed that only 15% of patients who took antidepressants experienced depression, compared to 50% of those who did not.
A meta-analysis found that PET imaging failed to identify 50% of occult lesions in clinically node-negative patients, while incorrectly identifying normal tissue as cancerous 13% of the time. The study suggests that FDG-PET may not improve diagnostic accuracy for early head and neck cancer
Researchers at U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center found that HPV-positive tumors are more responsive to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The study also identified biomarkers that can determine which patients are most likely to survive and thrive with tailored treatment plans.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have found that people with periodontitis who are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) are at increased risk of developing tongue cancer. The study showed that 63% of patients with tongue cancer also had periodontitis, and 90% of those without HPV also did not have periodontitis.
A study examined 75 group-randomized oncology trials and found a substantial number of problems with the trials. Many relied on analyses that ignored group randomization altogether, raising concerns about type I errors. In contrast, HPV-based screening was found to be more accurate in detecting cervical precancerous lesions than cytology.
Patients with head and neck cancer experience declines in physical quality of life due to treatments such as feeding tube placement, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, their mental health quality of life improves after one year, suggesting the importance of addressing depression and smoking cessation in treatment.
A study of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing survivors found that radiation exposure in utero and early childhood increases the risk of adult solid cancers. Individuals carrying a rare genetic variant of AKAP9 gene also have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Researchers identified distinct behavioral risk factors for head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) versus those not caused by HPV. HPV-positive cancers were linked to sexual behaviors and marijuana use, while HPV-negative cancers were associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol use, and poor oral hygiene.
A small study has found that marijuana use does not significantly increase the risk of head and neck cancer. The relative risk was the same as in non-users, unlike smoking cigarettes and heavy alcohol consumption, which were linked to increased cancer risks. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that HPV-positive head and neck cancer patients have higher response rates to chemoradiation therapy and better two-year overall survival rates compared to HPV-negative patients.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have developed a new saliva test that accurately detects head and neck cancer in 42.9% of patients, ruling out the disease in 81.9% of healthy individuals. The test uses genetic signatures common to the disease and holds promise for screening high-risk populations.
Researchers have developed gold nanoparticles with antibody fragments that can identify tumors in living animals. The particles emit a specific signal when illuminated by a laser beam, enabling early detection of cancer. This technology offers a non-invasive and potentially more effective approach to cancer diagnosis.