Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are standard treatment of head and neck cancer alone or associated to surgical treatment. Early (during treatment or the following weeks) and late side effects contribute to malnutrition in this population at risk. In this context, nutritional support adapted by dietary monitoring and enteral nutrition (nasogastric tube or gastrostomy) are often necessary. The early identification of the patients with high malnutrition risk and requiring enteral nutrition is necessary to improve the tolerance and efficacy of treatment. This prospective study research the factors of malnutrition during head and neck radiotherapy.

This randomized clinical trial studies how well expiratory muscle strength training works in improving bulbar function and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer. Expiratory muscle strength training may help to strengthen the muscles involved in breathing and swallowing and may allow improved breathing, airway safety, swallow function, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer.

This pilot clinical trial studies how well Prepare to Care kit works in improving caregiver support in patients with stage I-IV head and neck cancer that is new or has come back. Prepare to Care kit may increase knowledge about head and neck cancer and enhance stress-management skills.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of individual education and individual self-care measures on pain intensity, perceived health, mood and sleep during and after treatment with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

This pilot clinical trial studies how well metformin hydrochloride works in affecting cytokines and exosomes in patients with head and neck cancer. Metformin hydrochloride may reduce the metabolic activity of cancer cells and of surrounding supportive tissues.

The surrounding controversies both advocating and simultaneously opposing the use of vitamin C, mostly extrapolating animal models to human models, it has not been used individually to assess the severity of oral mucositis during chemoradiotherapy. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the effect of vitamin C oral supplements in assessing the severity of oral mucositis during chemoradiotherapy for oral cancer.

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat advanced cancers of the head and neck, aiming for cure while preserving patients' quality of life including their ability to speak and swallow. In order to reduce the potentially major side effects of treatment, it is essential that the highest doses of radiotherapy are targeted to the main bulk of the tumour. At present a computerized tomography (CT) scan is used by the cancer specialist to identify the tumour for planning the radiotherapy treatment. The investigators know that other types of scan including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans are better than CT scans at showing areas involved by the cancer. However, radiotherapy cannot be directly planned on these types of scans. The aim of this study is to explore whether PET and MRI scans can be combined with CT scans to more accurately identify the tumour target. In addition, this study will explore whether PETCT and MRI scans may used to adjust radiotherapy to how well a tumour is responding during a course of radiotherapy. If the radiotherapy planning process can be improved in these ways, the investigators hope future patients will benefit by more chance of cure with a reduction in the side effects of treatment. The study aims to recruit 16 patients. All patients within the study will undergo a PETCT and an MRI scan prior to starting treatment as part of the study. A subgroup of 8 patients will undergo additional imaging at two timepoints during the course of their radiotherapy. The study is noninterventional and patients' standard treatment will not be affected by their participation in the study.

Nutritional supplements containing antioxidants seem to decrease toxicity associated with Radiotherapy (RT) and Chemotherapy (CT) in patients with malignant head and neck tumors. Oncoxin-Viusid® (OV) is a nutritional supplement with antioxidant, immunomodulator and antitumor effects.

Clinician directed prophylactic swallowing therapy will improve immediate (four weeks +/- two weeks) and short-term (26 weeks +/- four weeks) post-treatment swallowing function and quality of life versus patient directed home exercises. The purpose of this prospective, interventional, pilot investigation is to determine whether clinician directed swallowing therapy will improve patient swallowing function outcomes and quality of life in the immediate and short-term basis compared to patients receiving standard of care patient directed independent home swallowing therapy. Patient compliance with home exercises programs is reportedly inconsistent. Patients may experience changes in their physical functioning and overall well-being that may impact their ability to follow-through with independent home therapy. Clinician directed swallowing therapy allows for ongoing assessment of changes that may warrant modifying the therapy program in terms of intensity of exercises and/or expectations. This facilitates individualizing the patient's therapy plan to maximize their function and ability to achieve goals. It is anticipated that individualizing swallowing therapy through weekly session will result in improved swallowing function.

Patients treated with Maxillofacial Prosthesis have loss of maxillary and/or mandibular substances. Few data are available on quality of life of these patients and its association with some of their socio-demographic, medical and clinical characteristics.