Articles tagged with 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.
New study reveals that alcohol and tobacco use do not increase the risk of head and neck cancers in people infected with HPV16, a common strain of the sexually-transmitted virus. The findings suggest two distinct causes for these major cancers, requiring different prevention and treatment strategies.
Male BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers have a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to noncarriers. A high carbohydrate diet may also promote prostate tumor growth in mice, while infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with an increased risk of head and neck cancers but does not further increase the risk when...
A new integrated approach to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been shown to provide high-quality care for head and neck cancer patients in community centers. The study found no significant differences in treatment outcomes or survival rates between academic and community centers.
A large-scale study published in CANCER journal found that a patient's emotional state has no direct or indirect effect on cancer survival or disease progression. The research analyzed data from over 1,000 patients with head and neck cancer, concluding that psychological factors are not independently prognostic in cancer management.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that emotional well-being has no influence on cancer survival, contrary to long-held beliefs. The study examined 1,093 patients with head and neck cancers and found no correlation between emotional status and overall survival.
Researchers at CAMH found that quitting alcohol can significantly reduce the risk of esophageal and oral cavity cancers, with risks decreasing rapidly after longer periods of abstention. However, stopping drinking did not immediately decrease the risk of head and neck cancer, with benefits seen only after 10 years of cessation.
A pilot study found that patients with head and neck cancer exhibited inferior performance in some driving skills, including longer brake reaction times and greater steering variability. However, there was no significant difference in average speed or total collisions between the patient group and community control group.
A growing trend in oropharyngeal cancers is attributed to HPV infection, especially in younger males. This emerging epidemic warrants the exploration of HPV vaccine efficacy and safety in male populations.
A large prospective study confirmed strong associations between current and past cigarette smoking and malignancies of the head and neck in both genders. Smoking plays a greater role in developing head and neck cancer in women than men, with higher incidence rates and relative increases in risk.
Randal S. Weber, a renowned otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon, has been chosen as an Honorary Member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO). Dr. Weber's contributions to promoting multidisciplinary approaches in treating patients with head and neck cancers have earned him this prestigious honor.
Researchers have developed a new tool that uses patient characteristics such as age, gender, race, and tumor site to estimate conditional survival. This will enable personalized predictions of prognosis for head and neck cancer patients.
A study of 666 head and neck cancer patients found that 38.1% discontinued work due to cancer and treatment, with fatigue being the leading factor. The study highlights the need for interventions to minimize disability after treatment and provide more information about employment to patients.
A study found that cigarette smoking is responsible for a quarter of head and neck cancers among individuals who do not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol was also linked to an increased risk of head and neck cancers, particularly among never-smokers.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute have developed a novel vaccine strategy targeting mutated p53 protein peptides to activate the immune system against tumors. This approach has shown promising results in animal models and human cells in culture, and a phase I clinical trial is currently underway.
Researchers have developed tests that diagnose, predict or monitor cancer risks without invasive tissue sampling, benefiting underserved populations. DNA methylation mapping from exhaled breath can identify early-stage lung cancer, while an oral rinse test detects head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Researchers have discovered a biological mechanism whereby two compounds in broccoli and soy reduce the invasive and metastatic potential of breast and ovarian cancer cells. Studies also suggest that a diet high in flavonols may help reduce pancreatic cancer risk, especially in smokers.
Scientists identify a DNA repair enzyme, OGG1, that may predict high risk of developing head and neck cancer in smokers. The OGG blood test could help identify those at risk and encourage quitting.
A study presented at a symposium found that 80% of advanced head and neck cancer patients responded well to chemotherapy and radiation, eliminating detectable disease in the neck. Of these, 85% maintained long-term remission without needing further invasive surgery.
A new study found that adding Cetuximab to radiation therapy does not increase the rate or duration of mucositis or dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients. The median follow-up time was 54 months, with fewer than 10% experiencing prolonged toxicities.
Researchers found that adding cetuximab to radiation therapy and chemotherapy improved local regional control and overall survival in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Seventy-two percent achieved a complete response two months after completion of therapy, while 95 percent were disease-free.
A randomized study found that intravenous chemoradiation was as effective as intra-arterial treatment for patients with inoperable head and neck cancer. The study compared the two treatments in 240 patients, both of which were able to control cancer growth.
A retrospective study found that three-dimensional treatment planning reduced feeding tube dependency in 62% of patients. Higher T stages and two-dimensional treatment planning were independent predictors of feeding tube dependency.
A Canadian oncologist warned doctors to be aware of the potential risk of suicide among cancer patients. The study found that American cancer patients are more than twice as likely to kill themselves as the general population. The risk varies according to factors such as gender, prognosis, and type of cancer.
Researchers found that patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck whose tumor samples over-expressed p53 protein were significantly more likely to respond to Advexin therapy than those with low p53 protein. The study suggests that p53 overexpression may be a predictive biomarker for Advexin efficacy.
A new three-drug regimen combining Taxotere with standard chemotherapy reduces mortality by nearly 30 percent in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The study, conducted at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, showed improved survival rates with this treatment approach.
A recent study by the American Thoracic Society found that marijuana smoking does not increase the risk of lung cancer or head and neck cancers. Heavy marijuana users, who smoked over 22,000 joints, did not have an increased risk of developing cancer.
Researchers have developed a completely penetrant mouse model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, recapitulating the human disease at both pathological and molecular levels. The model enables testing of combinations of targeted therapies and prevention approaches for HNSCC.
A groundbreaking study by OHSU researcher has created the world's first animal model that mimics human head and neck cancer at both pathological and molecular levels. This model enables researchers to screen for novel therapeutic approaches, potentially leading to improved treatment options for this often deadly disease.
Researchers found eight proteins with significantly different expression in patients with head and neck cancer, correctly classifying 82% of participants. The protein fingerprint also showed promise in detecting specific types of cancer and monitoring treatment responses.
The study found a triple interaction between CD44, hyaluronan, and LARG that initiates two molecular pathways causing tumor cell growth and migration. The complex can be used as a marker for potentially aggressive head-neck tumors and may lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting the PDZ domain of LARG.
A large clinical trial of low-dose isotretinoin in early-stage head and neck cancer patients found no reduction in second primary tumors or improved survival. Current smokers had increased rates of second primary tumors and death, highlighting the importance of smoking cessation.
Researchers found that STAT1 is a critical survival pathway in head and neck cancer, with increased levels leading to diminished and dying cancer cells. Therapeutic strategies to restore its functioning may be beneficial for patients, potentially improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.
A study of 200 patients with head and neck cancer found that those with lower quality of life one year after treatment were more likely to die. The researchers discovered a correlation between steady-state QOL and long-term survival, suggesting that adjusting to the diagnosis and treatment may be crucial for better outcomes.
A clinical trial has found that a new treatment regimen combining radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy significantly increases the probability of survival for patients with recurrent squamous-cell head and neck cancer. The study showed improved one-year and two-year survival rates compared to standard chemotherapy treatment, ...
Researchers have found a dose-response relationship between IMRT volume and oral mucositis severity in head and neck cancer patients. Constricting IMRT dose can lessen toxic effects of treatment, reducing side effects for patients.
A new study from UNC Health Care found that whole-body PET/CT scanners are highly accurate in detecting the spread and recurrence of head and neck cancer. The scans can pick up cancer where none was thought to exist, allowing for more precise biopsies and treatment planning.
Researchers found that many cancer survivors make significant modifications in diet and physical activity after a diagnosis. Despite this, many continue to struggle with healthy behaviors, particularly males, less educated individuals, and those over 65.
A study analyzed data from 18 published studies on TP53 protein and mortality rates, finding selective reporting biases that may have fabricated strong associations. The authors caution that the findings highlight limitations of current research methods and call for more transparent reporting and better study design.
Researchers discover compound (-)-gossypol that targets Bcl-xL protein to induce programmed cell death in resistant cancer cells. The study suggests a potential treatment option for head and neck cancer patients who cannot undergo surgery.
A daily bioadhesive buccal tablet containing 50mg of miconazole has been shown to be as effective as a four-times-daily mouth gel in treating oropharyngeal candidiasis among head and neck cancer patients. This simpler treatment schedule may improve quality of life and increase patient compliance.
Researchers found that adding docetaxel to a combination chemotherapy regimen increased complete pathological response rates by 89% for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The treatment is expected to result in high survival rates, including 95% two-year and 90% five-year survival rates.
Researchers have discovered a compound derived from Chinese medicine that works to regulate a protein called Bcl-xL, which is overexpressed in cancer cells. The compound, (-)-gossypol, has been shown to induce programmed cell death in head and neck cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy.
A multicenter trial found that alpha-tocopherol supplementation increased the rate of developing a second primary cancer during treatment but reduced the risk after treatment ended. After 8 years, the proportion of participants free of a second primary cancer was similar in both groups.
Combination therapy of radiotherapy and cetuximab significantly improves loco-regional control, median survival, and overall survival rates in patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. The treatment also showed minimal enhancement of toxicity compared to radiotherapy alone.
A new study links increased domestic production of betel quid to the incidence of head and neck cancer in Taiwan, with a strong cohort effect observed for men born between 1972-1980. The study suggests a correlation between betel quid usage and head and neck cancer incidence.
A study by Mitchell Machtay found that correcting anemia does not improve tumor control or survival in head and neck cancer patients. Despite increasing red blood cell count, erythropoietin did not enhance radiation therapy outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that smokers have a higher risk of death, disease recurrence, and poorer survival rates compared to non-smokers with head and neck cancer. Researchers highlighted the importance of tobacco cessation and moderation of alcohol use to improve quality of life and survival.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $10 million federal grant to enhance the quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. Researchers will investigate genetic changes, intracellular signaling proteins, and new treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality from head and neck cancer.
A study found that HPV DNA is present in tumors of HNSCC patients, suggesting a role for the virus in early cancer development. The findings support the idea that HNSCCs can be subdivided into two genetically distinct categories, one driven by environmental factors and the other by HPV infection.
A study published in Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery found that 52% of employed head and neck cancer patients reported work-related disability after treatment. Chemotherapy, neck surgery, and pain were linked to increased disability risk.