Active clinical trials for "Oropharyngeal Neoplasms"

This is an imaging protocol only, not a therapeutic study. The primary goal of the proposed study is to examine the utility of a new imaging study, Positron Emission Tomography with F-18 Fluorothymidine (FLT PET), in the early treatment evaluation of head and neck cancer. FLT uptake in the tumor correlates with the rate of cell proliferation. It is therefore hoped that changes in tumor FLT uptake after therapy will reflect change in the number of actively dividing tumor cells and will provide early assessment of treatment response. Research subjects will undergo one PET scan with FLT. The scan is done prior to any therapeutic intervention (radiation or chemotherapy) can be obtained up to 30 days prior to the start of therapy. The uptake of FLT in the tumor will be analyzed to see if it can be used as a predictor of treatment efficacy and/or outcome. There is an optional biopsy component to this study. Should the attending physicians (primarily the otolaryngologists) believe that the subject can safely undergo an outpatient biopsy, and the subject agrees, a biopsy is performed. The biopsy will be done within 30 days prior to treatment, similar to FLT PET scans. Tissue from the biopsy will be analyzed for markers of cellular proliferation and these markers will be correlated with the findings of FLT PET scan. There will be a 2-year clinical follow-up to assess for treatment outcomes, local control, and overall survival.

Objectives: Specific Aim 1: Estimate the prevalence of head and neck lymphedema in patients who have been treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy (± chemotherapy) for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. Compare functional outcomes in patients with and without lymphedema using cross-sectional survey methods. Specific Aim 2: Evaluate the effect of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) provided in an outpatient setting or a home-based program in reducing lymphedema in patients previously treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy (± chemotherapy) for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up. Patient characteristics, treatment variables, and the health care environment will be analyzed as possible explanatory variables that influence the effect of lymphedema treatment. Specific Aim 3: Evaluate the effect of lymphedema treatment on symptom burden, self-image, and functional performance status in patients previously treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy (± chemotherapy) for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.

The trial will compare exercises using Therabite® versus wooden spatulas to prevent or relieve trismus in patients with stage 3 and 4 oral/oropharyngeal cancer.

This randomized phase II trial studies how well photodynamic therapy with HPPH works in treating patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Photodynamic therapy uses HPPH that becomes active when it is exposed to a certain kind of light. When the drug is active, cancer cells are killed. This may be effective against squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if radiation-induced xerostomia [RIX] (dry mouth) causes, or worsens the effects of, acid reflux (heartburn and heartburn-like symptoms) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients receiving radiation therapy. Objectives: Primary Objective: Determine if radiation induced xerostomia (RIX) increases the frequency or duration of acid-reflux when re-measured approximately 6-12 weeks after RT (measured by # episodes, their duration, and Reflux Area Index (RAI). Reflux Area (RA) is the sum of the area under the curve for all episodes of pH<4 recorded during the study in units of Ph*minutes. The Reflux area index (RAI) is the RA corrected for the duration of the study (RA x 100/study duration). Secondary Objectives: To demonstrate that patients undergoing RT for OPC have reflux into the irradiated field that is anticipated to exacerbate mucositis symptoms Correlate RAI and # episodes of acid reflux with salivary flow before and after RT to determine if radiation induced hyposalivation is associated with more reflux events and symptoms. For patients with no pre-RT pathologic acid reflux, determine if RIX leads to conversion to acid-positive reflux measured approximately 6-12 weeks after RT. Correlate office indirect laryngoscopy findings (posterior commissure thickening, cobble-stoning, granulomas, and arytenoids erythema or edema) suggestive of acid reflux in OPC patients with pH-probe findings as was done in larynx cancer (Lewin et al) Compare findings from the patient reported outcome (PRO) instruments used

This randomized phase II trial is studying how well Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate works in preventing cancer in patients with oral leukoplakia. Chemoprevention is the use of certain substances to keep cancer from forming, growing, or coming back. The use of Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate, a substance made from soy, may keep cancer from forming in patients with oral leukoplakia

This pilot clinical trial studies photodynamic therapy using temoporfin before surgery in treating patients with recurrent oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer. Photodynamic therapy uses a drug, such as temoporfin, that is absorbed by tumor cells. The drug becomes active when it is exposed to light. When the drug is active, tumor cells are killed. Giving photodynamic therapy using temoporfin before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed.

This pilot clinical trial studies freeze-dried black raspberries (BRB) in preventing oral cancer recurrence in high at-risk Appalachian patients previously treated with surgery for oral cancer. Chemoprevention is the use of drugs natural products to keep cancer from developing, progressing, or recurring. Giving freeze-dried black raspberries may prevent oral cancer from forming or returning in oral cancer survivors.

This randomized phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best way to give lyophilized black raspberries in preventing oral cancer in high-risk patients previously diagnosed with stage I-IV or in situ head and neck cancer. Chemoprevention is the use of certain drugs to keep cancer from forming. The use of lyophilized black raspberries may prevent oral cancer. Studying samples of oral cavity scrapings, blood, urine, and saliva in the laboratory from patients receiving lyophilized black raspberries may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and the effect of lyophilized back raspberries on biomarkers.

RATIONALE: A specially modified virus called ONYX-015 may be able to kill tumor cells while leaving normal cells undamaged. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining ONYX-015 with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of ONYX-015 combined with cisplatin and fluorouracil in treating patients who have advanced head and neck cancer.