Articles tagged with Head and Neck Cancer
A Henry Ford Hospital study has identified 23 microRNAs specific to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, a form of head and neck cancer. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of what causes certain cells to grow and become cancerous tumors.
A pilot study using human saliva found that curcumin inhibited a critical cell signaling pathway and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with head and neck cancers. The study suggests curcumin could be combined with other treatments to treat head and neck cancer, and may be given to high-risk patients as an adjuvant treatment.
The 2011 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO featured over 386 scientific research sessions and presentations on various topics including facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, otolaryngology, and head and neck surgery. Studies highlighted the importance of population assessment in evaluating nose aesthetics and identified recurrent...
Researchers found that smokers who light up within 30 minutes of waking have a higher risk of developing lung and head and neck cancers. This increased risk is independent of smoking frequency and duration, suggesting that nicotine dependence may play a role in cancer development.
Smokers who light up within 30 minutes of waking are 1.79 times more likely to develop lung cancer and 1.59 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer compared to those who delay smoking for over an hour. Targeted smoking cessation programs may help reduce tobacco's negative health effects.
Researchers have identified unexpected genetic mutations in head and neck squamous cell cancer, including defects in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and alterations in the NOTCH family of genes. These findings shed new light on the complex biology of this understudied disease.
A new study has identified predictors that can help guide treatment decisions for head and neck cancer patients who require a second round of treatment. Certain characteristics, such as cancer-free period and radiation dose, can determine which patients are most likely to benefit from this potentially toxic treatment.
A U-M study found that a curcumin-based compound, FLLL32, can improve the effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment by sensitizing resistant cells to chemotherapy. The compound decreases activation levels of STAT3, making tumor cells more susceptible to cisplatin.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that adding low-dose sorafenib to chemotherapy and radiation can improve treatment efficacy while reducing harsh side effects. The triple combination was well-tolerated in an animal model.
Researchers found that combining CT and FDG-PET images resulted in a change in tumor delineation in one out of three patients, leading to adjusted treatments in 10% of cases. This improvement was particularly notable in patients with dental inlays, where the primary tumor was not visible on CT scans alone.
Researchers found that higher levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms are associated with greater VEGF expression in tumor tissue, leading to shorter disease-free survival. The study suggests psychosocial interventions may have limited impact on patients with advanced cancer.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine have developed a protein-based inhibitor that blocks HPV protein expression in cell culture, paving the way for a topical treatment. The inhibitor, E2R, prevents viral gene transcription and has shown promise against various strains of HPV, including high-risk and low-risk types.
A study found that nearly half of head and neck cancer patients who received prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes never used them. The study suggests that PEG placement prior to therapy may not be necessary and could impact cost-effectiveness and quality of life.
Researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech developed nanoparticles to detect circulating tumor cells in blood samples from 19 head and neck cancer patients, achieving a positive signal for 17 patients. The 'one-tube' SERS technology could be faster and lower in costs than other detection methods.
Cancer researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital discovered targeting the enzyme UROD can sensitize diseased tissue to radiation and chemotherapy, reducing side effects. Lower UROD levels before treatment are associated with improved clinical outcomes.
The PARSPORT trial found that intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) spares the major salivary glands, reducing xerostomia and improving quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. IMRT significantly reduces the incidence of dry mouth and leads to recovery of saliva secretion.
A new three-drug regimen including docetaxel has been shown to significantly improve the long-term survival of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. The addition of docetaxel to a standard two-drug chemotherapy regimen reduced the likelihood of death by 26% over six years, according to results from the TAX 324 trial.
Researchers found that estrogen induces the expression of CYP1B1 enzyme in precancerous cells, which promotes their movement and division. Depleting CYP1B1 reduces cell mobility and death in precancerous cells.
A new study suggests that the presence of tumor cells in the circulating blood of patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck may predict disease recurrence and reduced survival. The study found a correlation between an increasing number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and a worse outcome.
A study of 184 patients with advanced head and neck cancers found that 85% could speak normally and 63% could swallow normally after treatment. Factors such as age, smoking history, tumor location, and planned surgery were linked to poorer speech and swallowing outcomes.
A recent study found that most patients with advanced head and neck cancer experience minimal residual speech and swallowing deficits following combined chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Factors associated with worse outcomes included being female, having a history of smoking, or a tumor in the hypopharynx or larynx.
A new study found that patients with head and neck cancer who have never smoked have significantly better survival rates and fewer treatment complications than smokers. The researchers suspect that human papillomavirus may play a role in this difference.
A study of 282 individuals found that radiation therapy for head and neck cancer can cause significant hearing loss, with severe cases affecting daily life. The research highlights the need to consider hearing loss as a potential health issue in cancer patients undergoing treatment.
A new study combining stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with chemotherapy Cetuximab effectively controls and treats recurrent head and neck cancers. The regimen reduces treatment time while minimizing debilitating side effects.
A study by Henry Ford researchers identified five risk factors for late-stage head and neck cancer, including two genes, tumor grade, vascular invasion, and location of the tumor. The study found that race was not an independent predictor, contrary to previous research findings.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center found that combining curcumin with Cisplatin suppresses head and neck cancer cell growth, slowing tumor progression. The study showed that curcumin regulates cell cycling, inhibiting cancer-promoting NFκB.
Studies presented at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO reveal that self-reported patient wait times significantly impact all measured aspects of the ambulatory patient experience. Additionally, incorporating physician extenders in outpatient otolaryngology practices can increase patient education, promote productivity, and im...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.