Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

This clinical trial seeks to learn if a yoga program can improve physical performance, quality of life and symptom burden in cancer patients who are undergoing radiation therapy, and their partners. Taking part in yoga or stretching sessions may lower distress, improve quality of life, and/or may improve sleep and fatigue for cancer patients and their caregivers.

This study will collect de-identified tumor samples, with correlated clinical/demographic data and tissue histology, from patients selected or scheduled for pre-treatment tumor biopsy or who have had a recent pre-treatment tumor biopsy. These specimens and clinical data may be used in subsequent studies for the development and validation of a diagnostic test.

The study aims to explore the experience of patients with Head and Neck Cancer, who are preparing for and/or completed radiotherapy treatment.

This study wants to focus on Carcinoma detection rates with blue laser imaging (BLI) for participants with head-neck cancer who need a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). BLI is a new imaging technique that can easily be used within a standard gastroscopy.

The study includes patients with tumors of the oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx scheduled to receive radiotherapy with curative intent (+/- chemotherapy). The patients will be randomized into either an intervention group (performing a preventive jaw- and swallowing exercise protocol before and during radiotherapy) or a control group no performing a exercise protocol. All patients will be encouraged to eat or drink for as long as possible during the therapy. All patients will meet with a speech-language therapist weekly during radiotherapy.

Head and neck cancers that occurred during pregnancy

Background Approximately half of head and neck cancer patients are 65 years or older at diagnosis. Treatment decisions in this older HNCA population are challenging, because of the lack of evidence-based guidelines. Surgery is often the treatment of choice in a HNCA setting where curative treatment is intended. Though chronological age per se has not been reported as a contraindication for surgery, data are limited and often the result of retrospective studies. Measurement of functional age, through a comprehensive geriatric assessment, has been suggested by several international cancer organizations to be a better prognostic indicator. At the divisions of maxillofacial surgery and otorhinolaryngology, a geriatric assessment is part of routine preoperative staging for patients of 70 years old or older. Objectives The investigators aim to determine the value of G8 to predict 30-day postoperative comorbidity in an older HNCA population undergoing elective curative surgery. Moreover, they aim to examine the vulnerability profile of patients undergoing elective head and neck surgery for an oncology diagnosis. Study design All patients of 70 years and older, presenting at the divisions of maxillofacial surgery and otorhinolaryngology for curative surgery of a solid head and neck tumour undergo a geriatric consult as part of routine preoperative staging. The presence of postoperative morbidity and mortality within the first 30 days after surgery will be collected as a primary endpoint. At 30±10 days postoperative, all patients will be re-evaluated with the G8 and the CGA. Patient' quality of life will also be re-examined within 30 days postoperative and again at 6 and 12 months postoperative. Conclusion There is still no consensus whether older HNCA patients should receive a different treatment compared to younger patients. Data related to the vulnerability profile of older patients requiring HN surgery, and the predictive value of geriatric screening for postoperative morbidity could enable better patient selection in the future.

Radiotherapy is inhibiting the healing capacity of the mandibular bone. Late complications as bone exposure, fracture of the jaw, osteoradionecrosis might be a consequence of this vulnerability. A factor that could be involved in the development of complications is field of radiation. There are limited number of studies investigating this relation. Retrospective analysis of a head and neck oncology register with prospectively included patients will be performed. Patients will be related to the University hospitals in Lund, Umea, Orebro, Stockholm. A thorough analysis of the medical journals in this group of patients will be performed. Included patients have been treated with combination of surgery and radiotherapy to treat malignancies in the head and neck region. At least 12 months follow up period is needed for inclusion. The scientific aim is to investigate weather the field of radiation and fractionation is crucial for developing the formentioned complications.

Lymphedema in the head and neck area is common after treatment for head and neck cancer. The aim of the research project is: • to assess the prevalence of lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) by measuring the amount of tissue water in the head and neck area before and after different kinds of cancer treatment, and to evaluate the quality of life before and after cancer treatment.

The researchers are doing this study to collect more information about if, and how, neurocognitive function may be affected in people being treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Part of this study is to see if patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy are able to complete neurocognitive testing and questionnaires at 3 times over a period of 1 year.