Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

This study will compare the gastric pull up (GPU) with the free flap [(specifically, anterolateral thigh (ALT) and radial forearm free flap (RFFF)] techniques used in the reconstruction of alimentary tracts in patients who require laryngectomy and circumferential pharyngectomy for carcinoma resection. These two interventions will be compared by block randomizing 20 patients based on history of failed chemoradiation to undergo either ALT or RFFF. The primary outcome will be the type and number of postoperative complications. The secondary outcomes will include swallowing function, speech, and quality of life measures along with cancer specific endpoints.

The hypothesis of the present study is that an automatic assessment technic can measure the impact of the speech disorders on the communication abilities giving a severity index of speech in patients treated for head and neck and particularly for oral and pharyngeal cancer.

The last decade has seen progressive advances in RT delivery, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), which now allow highly precise radiation dose delivery. Together, IMRT and IGRT offer the potential of more selective treatment of the primary tumour and surrounding neck nodes by reducing the dose inflicted on critical organs at risk without compromising tumour dose and. IMRT has been shown to significantly decrease radiation-induced toxicity, and is now considered standard treatment for H&N tumors. With these advances in delivery technology, the accurate definition of the target is emerging as the weakest link in the radiotherapeutic treatment chain. Accurate target definition is the primary link on which all subsequent treatment planning and delivery depend and is therefore critical for successful RT. Incorrect target definition can result in poorer outcomes through either less tumour control, more normal tissue toxicity, or both. Computed x-ray tomography (CT) is the standard volumetric imaging modality for RT because of its high resolution, accurate definition of anatomy and its intrinsic measure of electron density necessary for accurate dose calculation. However, its ability to distinguish between tumour and normal tissue is limited due to a lack of contrast for structures of similar electron density and image artifacts for objects of high density. This additional noise can result in large inter-observation variability. Disease visible on endoscopy can be contoured and registered to the planning CT, allowing inclusion of superficial disease invisible on the volumetric CT image dataset into the treatment plan.

This study evaluates the role of narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy compared with Lugol chromoendoscopy in the early detection of esophageal cancer in patients with prior head and neck cancers.

Microdialysis is admitted to be reliable by numerous surgeons to monitor flaps. Nevertheless, a few authors reported follow up with microdialysis in bone flaps, and they all described the position of the catheter in the surrounding soft tissue muscle. This surrounding soft tissue is not always the reflect of bone vascularisation. The aim is to study the feasibility of a follow up of microanastomosed bone flaps with microdialysis. To reach this goal, investigators perform a clinical prospective research project untitled MTM project

Open multicentric study assessing predictive value of 18-FDG PET (SUV max) at 20 Gy during radio-chemotherapy, on the loco-regional control after 2 years

The aim of this study is to (i) Determine if tumor hypoxia can be accurately visualised with [18F] HX4 PET imaging in head and neck tumors (ii) correlate the [18F] HX4 PET images with blood and tissue markers and (iii) investigate the quality and optimal timing of [18F] HX4 PET imaging (iv) compare [18F] HX4 PET uptake with [18F] FDG PET uptake before and after treatment.

A Phase II Trial With Radiotherapy Plus Cetuximab to Evaluate Specific Survival Free of Laryngectomy in Patients With Resectable and Locally Advanced Larynx Cancer, After Treatment With TPF Chemotherapy.

This randomized clinical trial studies how well Nestle Impact Advanced Recovery works in improving surgery recovery in patients with head and neck cancer. Adding a nutritional supplement, such as Nestle Impact Advanced Recovery to a regular diet before and after head and neck cancer surgery may help to decrease the number of wound complications after surgery.

RATIONALE: Lactobacillus bevis CD2 lozenge may help prevent symptoms of mucositis, or mouth sores, in patients receiving radiation therapy and chemotherapy. This therapy may improve the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: This phase III trial studies how well Lactobacillus bevis CD2 lozenge prevents oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer who are being treated with cisplatin and radiation therapy. These results will be compared to results in patients using placebo lozenges.