Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

PEG tubes are commonly used to provide nutritional support to patients with head and neck cancer. PEG insertions are typically carried out by gastroenterologists, but also otorhinolaryngologist - head and neck surgeons perform the procedure in some countries. Prospective studies on PEG tube placements in an ORL - HNS service are lacking. The investigators aim was to prospectively evaluate the preformance of ORL - HN surgeons in PEG tube insertions, and analyze the time gains and cost effectiveness achieved of the independency from other specialities.

Cancer patients are at high risk for undernutrition. A study with head and neck cancer patients showed that 50% suffered from undernutrition (Prevost et al., 2014). Sensory alterations may also involve sensory changes from the physiological structures of the mouth or neural pathways and hedonic changes, i.e., although food may taste the same as usual, that taste is no longer judged as pleasant. These changes lead to an aversion to food and a decrease in the pleasure of eating (Bernhardson et al., 2009). Despite the large number of published studies on taste and smell alterations in diverse cancer populations, few have examined other dimensions of oral sensory alterations. Studies focusing on somesthesia have mostly been conducted in the area of oral physiology or stomatology in relation to oral pain and rehabilitation (Howes, Wongsriruksa, Laughlin, Witchel, & Miodownik, 2014). Regarding food perception, somesthesia provides information about both texture, temperature, and trigeminal sensations. These sensations are detected by mechanical, thermal, nociceptive receptors present throughout the oral epithelium (Simons & Carstens, 2008). In addition to taste and smell, food perception is influenced by oral somatosensation and studies have demonstrated an interrelated relationship between these oral sensations (Spence, Piqueras-Fiszman 2016). Therefore, ther might have a correlation between oral somatosensation and food preferences, subsequently influencing eating behavior and food consumption. A standard method, using a so-called Von Frey Hair monofilament, to assess tactile sensation was developed by Etter et al. (Etter, N. M et al.,. J. Vis. Exp. 2020) but has so far been only minimally used in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) cancer (Bearelly, Wang, & Cheung, 2017; Bodin, Jäghagen, & Isberg, 2004; Elfring, Boliek, Seikaly, Harris, & Rieger, 2012). The aim of the study is to determine the variability and role of somatosensory perception (texture, pungency transmitted through the trigeminal system, and temperature) on food preferences in cancer patients compared to healthy volunteers.

This is a multicenter, interventional, randomized study among patients with a first lung or head & neck cancer who are still active smokers ± alcohol misusers.The study will aim to compare the systematic implementation of an addiction treatment program initiated at hospital and integrated to the initial cancer treatment program (Arm A), versus the as-usual procedure, which consists in recommendations to follow an addiction treatment program (Arm B)

The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial examining 12-week, 24-week and one year outcomes from a combined therapeutic and physical exercise program that aims to bridge head-and-neck cancer survivors from acute care rehabilitation services to community-based exercise programming.

The primary objective is the prospective determination of disease-specific and overall survival in head and neck cancer patients who have undergone surgery, correlated to non-invasive methods of measuring tumour hypoxia. The secondary objective is to define tumour hypoxia using non-invasive methodology.

Trismus (limited jaw mobility), can occur in patients undergoing radiotherapy to specific areas of the head or neck. Trismus leads to difficulty in eating, swallowing, speech and general mouth hygiene, which all have negative effects on quality of life. Research in the area of trismus is limited; it is not known exactly when trismus develops, one study suggests that some patients have experienced a diminished opening at as low doses as 15 Gy. Literature suggests benefits of a training programme, but there is a lack of evidence to support the use of a training programme during radiotherapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a training programme during and after radiotherapy, and report the incidence of trismus in patients who receive radiotherapy to the jaw muscles. The study also investigates quality of life during radiotherapy and up to one year after completed treatment. Patients who meet the criteria and give their consensus to the study are divided into two groups: Group 1: Training with TheraBite Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System, which is a portable system utilizing repetitive passive motion and stretching to restore mobility and flexibility of the jaw musculature. Individuals train five times a day. Group 2: Conventional treatment (jaw measurements once a week). If the individuals jaw mobility decreases 15% from the original start measurement, the patient is automatically offered a trainings program (as in group 1). During radiation therapy a hospital specialist dentist measures the jaw mobility once a week, thereafter at 3,6,12 months after completed Radiation Therapy. On 5 different occasions the patients are requested to complete a Quality of life questionnaire. Patient's record their training frequency in a log book.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the symbiotic use in patients with head and neck cancer impact on intestinal function after surgical treatment.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether continuous use of edible, gel-based artificial saliva in cancer patients with dry mouth problems will reduce signs and symptoms of dry mouth and improve quality of patients' saliva.

This is a phase 2b, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-arm, adaptive-design trial, initially stratified by cisplatin regimen, and then randomized 1:1:1:1. The study will be conducted in subjects receiving ChemoRT for the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. The study includes a treatment period of approximately 7 weeks, depending on the subject's prescribed radiation plan, and Week 1 and Week 4 post RT follow-up visits. It also includes a longer follow-up period of approximately 12 months to determine if there is an effect of SCV 07 on the tumor response to ChemoRT.

RATIONALE: DNA analysis of tumor tissue may help doctors predict how well patients will respond to treatment. PURPOSE: This research study is studying biomarkers in patients with head and neck cancer.