Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a recognised cause of some head and neck cancers. Important questions remain however, regarding the role of specific types of HPV, their effect on prognosis and different subtypes of oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, interaction with other risk factors (such as smoking and alcohol), and potential geographical differences in the effect of HPV. Via the Alcohol-Related Cancers and Genetic Susceptibility in Europe (ARCAGE) study, which is an international collaboartive case-control study conducted in 15 centres in 11 European countries, and pooling our results with the HPV-AHEAD consortium, we will conduct a systematic analysis of HPV subtypes known or suspected to be involved in head and neck cancer. This will involve investigation of HPV risk by tumour site (oral, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx), tumour stage, country, sex and age, and whether risk is modified by exposure to other known or suspected carcinogens including tobacco, alcohol and medical history. It is intended that this work will contribute to the development of evidence that may feed into treatment protocols for these cancers as well as evaluations of the feasibility for extending HPV vaccine programs.

This research trial studies skin/soft tissue elasticity in head and neck cancer survivors with lymphedema and fibrosis. Lymphedema and fibrosis is a common effect of head and neck cancer which may lead to skin tightness, pain, and body image issues. Early detection of lymphedema and fibrosis may help reduce serious functional loss of the neck. Shear wave elastography is a technique that provides a quantitative measure of stiffness using a push pulse to generate shear waves within the tissues. Conventional imaging techniques are then used to monitor the shear waves generated through the tissue to calculate the shear wave speed. Shear wave elastography may help obtain an early and accurate measurement of tissue elasticity in head and neck cancer survivors.

The study tests a needs assessment and decision-making tool with patients who are in need of rehabilitation after surgery for Head and Neck Cancer. The purpose is to enhance patient involvement in decision-making.

Surgery remains a main pillar in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The margin status is the main prognostic factor of local tumor control in surgically treated HNSCC and will determine the postoperative treatment strategy. A margin of ≤1 mm of normal tissue is considered a positive margin and requires either a re-operation or postoperative chemoradiation with a combination of cisplatin and 5-FU, which substantially increases morbidity. Margins wider than 1 mm but less than 5 mm require re-operation, or, if that is not possible, post-operative radiotherapy without the concomitant use of chemotherapy. Currently, no technology is available in the operating room, which reliably supports tumor excision in terms of margin status. In fact, surgeons can only combine pre- operative imaging data with tactile and visual information during surgery for assessing tumor margins with limited accuracy. With the introduction of molecular imaging techniques using near infrared (NIR) fluorescent optical contrast agents coupled to targeted compounds, new avenues have opened up for intra-operative assessment of tumor margins. Tracers are based on antibodies directed against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A, i.e. bevacizumab-IRDye800CW, in patients with breast cancer or against Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, i.e. cetuximab-IRDye800CW, in patients with HNSCC. First trials have shown that systemic administration of these compounds is safe and tumor specific. These findings prompted us to design this innovative application in a clinical trial for the intraoperative assessment of tumor margins during surgical treatment of HNSCC using cetuximab-IRDye800CW.

The purpose of this research is to understand if it is helpful for patients with mental illness to be connected to a psychiatrist and case manager at the time of cancer diagnosis.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors with body image-related distress (BID) will be randomized to 5-weeks of tablet-based BRIGHT or tablet-based active control (AC; electronic information about HNC recovery). Participants will complete validated measures of BID and psychological, social, and emotional wellbeing to assess the preliminary clinical impact of BRIGHT on BID in HNC survivors. Participants will also complete validated measures of body image coping behavior to assess the role of image coping behavior as the behavioral mechanism of BRIGHT.

This study intends to evaluate the security and success rate of large bore percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy in patients with head and neck tumors, as a outpatient procedure.

The purpose of the study is to examine whether postoperative nutrition with endeavours of 100% coverage of the patient's estimated energy and protein needs, can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.

A cross-sectional study will be conducted to report oral complications during chemo and radiotherapy treatment in case of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer and the effect of theses oral side effects on patients' quality of life which will in turn allow the implication of preventive measures

Comparison of the concordance of albumin nanocolloid and Lymphoseek® in the detection of lymph nodes of primary and secondary stage drainage by performing two lymphogammagrams