Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

This synthesis of the literature on radiotherapy for head and neck cancer is based on 424 scientific articles, including 3 meta-analyses, 38 randomized studies, 45 prospective studies, and 246 retrospective studies. These studies involve 79174 patients. The literature review shows that radiotherapy, either alone or in combination with surgery, plays an essential role in treating head and neck cancers. When tumors are localized, many tumor patients can be cured by radiotherapy alone and thereby maintain full organ function (1, 2). Current technical advancements in radiotherapy offer the potential for better local tumor control with lower morbidity (3). This, however, will require more sophisticated dose planning resources. To further improve treatment results for advanced tumors, other fractionation schedules, mainly hyperfractionation, should be introduced (5). This mainly increases the demands on staff resources for radiotherapy. The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be subjected to further controlled studies involving a sufficiently large number of patients (4, 5). Interstitial treatment (in the hands of experienced radiotherapists) yields good results for selected cancers. The method should be more generally accessible in Sweden. Intraoperative radiotherapy should be targeted for further study and development.

Restoring p53 Function in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma to Improve Treatments

“…Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is diagnosed in 890.000 patients each year worldwide, ranking it as the sixth most common cancer in the world (1). HNSCC is a collection of cancers encompassing the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx (2).…”

Cell stiffness predicts cancer cell sensitivity to ultrasound as a selective superficial cancer therapy

“…However, more widespread and detailed studies are required before low‐intensity ultrasound can be used in clinical applications. For superficial HNSCC, such as on the lips and nose, 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 the applicability of ultrasound as a treatment modality is expected to be relatively simple, because the ultrasound would be applied topically, as such tumors on a superficial organ can be easily accessed.…”

Effect of Mannitol Hydration as Renoprotective on Cisplatin Induced Nephrotoxicity (CIN) in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

“…Management therapy of head and neck cancer based on NCCN Guideline can be surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. Cisplatin is the preferred chemotherapy agent which can be used along with radiation as a chemoradiotherapy regimen usually given in high dose (100 mg/m2 every 21 days for three cycles) 2,3 . Nephrotoxicity is the renowned major side effect (around 28-36%) in the form of both acute or chronic renal insufficiency which also becomes major consideration in giving cisplatin therapy.…”