Articles tagged with Head and Neck Cancer
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.