Active clinical trials for "Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck"

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN) is a devastating illness, the treatment of which is associated with significant morbidity. This type of cancer affects 43,000 individuals each year with an estimated survival rate of 50%. A potential treatment alternative for this patient population is the use of peptide-based immunotherapy. This clinical tial will be using a vaccines comprised on the Trojan peptides MAGE-A3 and HPV 16 to treat patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck who have recurrent, progressive or metastatic SCCHN.

Sorafenib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth. It may also stop the growth of tumor cells by stopping blood flow to the tumor. This phase II trial is studying how well sorafenib works in treating patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cance

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of giving 7-hydroxystaurosporine together with irinotecan hydrochloride in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable solid tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer (currently enrolling only patients with triple-negative breast cancer since 6/8/2007). Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving 7-hydroxystaurosporine together with irinotecan hydrochloride may help kill more cancer cells by making tumor cells more sensitive to the drug.

Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of erlotinib in treating patients who have metastatic or unresectable solid tumors and liver or kidney dysfunction. Biological therapies such as erlotinib may interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow the growth of the tumor

RATIONALE: Gefitinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Giving gefitinib and paclitaxel together with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of gefitinib and paclitaxel when given together with radiation therapy in treating patients with advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) of the head and neck.

This phase I trial is studying the side effects of gefitinib in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable head and neck cancer or non-small cell lung cancer. Gefitinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth

Studies from Vancouver show that fluorescent visualization (FV) is a useful method of controlling surgical margins. This early finding will now be confirmed in a national randomized controlled trial.

The intervention tested in this research project aims to reduce this inequality by improving the management of elderly head and neck cancer patients with a specific management. Indeed, the treatment of elderly head and neck cancer patients has specificities concerning treatment options, their tolerance, psychological management, nutritional and functional status, and support needed at home. To assess the overall needs of the elderly patients, an assessment known as "comprehensive geriatric assessment" (CGA) can be performed by a geriatrician with extensive testing and questionnaires. This assessment is long and requires an experienced geriatrician. It leads to the development of an individualized treatment plan (physiotherapy, psychological follow-up, support at home, nutritional management ...) and follow-up to adapt the necessary cares for the duration of the cancer treatment. The CGA utility has been studied in elderly patients with nonmalignant diseases. Studies have shown that CGA allowed improving survival and maintaining the elderly at home.

The harmonic scalpel is a tool that may reduce operative blood loss. Some studies also indicate it may result in faster surgery. A recently published randomized study from our group shows the harmonic scalpel reduces blood loss in neck dissection but it did not offer any reduction in OR time. The present study investigates the utility of the harmonic scalpel in resections involving removal of oral cavity tissues as well as the neck. Oral cavity resections are especially prone to blood loss and we believe the harmonic scalpel will confer benefits in this type of surgery, potentially reducing the need for blood transfusion.

The purpose of this study is to see if the investigators can prevent or reduce the severity of the Cetuximab-related acne rash. Two different topical agents will be applied to the skin. One topical agent is the dapsone gel and the other is a skin moisturizer. Dapsone gel is an FDA approved medication that you apply to the face. It is commonly used to treat acne. Skin moisturizers are recommended to patients who receive Cetuximab treatment. In addition to these topical agents they will be given a pill to take once a day. This pill has already been shown to help fight rashes from Cetuximab.