Head and Neck Cancer Information Center

Head and Neck Cancer News

HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer Has Favorable Prognosis (05/20/2009)
According to the results of a study that will be presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), oropharyngeal cancer that results from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection appears to have a better prognosis than oropharyngeal cancer that is linked with other causes such as smoking.

Three-drug Combination Increases Rates of Larynx Preservation (03/30/2009)
Among patients with locally advanced cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx, induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resulted in higher rates of larynx preservation than induction chemotherapy with only cisplatin and 5-FU. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of Cancer in Women (03/10/2009)
Women who regularly consume low to moderate amounts of alcohol have an increased risk of cancers of the upper digestive tract, rectum, liver, and breast when compared with women who do not drink, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Combination of Avastin® and Tarceva® Shows Promise in Head and Neck Cancer (03/05/2009)
According to the results of a Phase I/II clinical trial, treatment of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head or neck with a combination of two targeted therapies—Avastin® (bevacizumab) and Tarceva® (erlotinib)—was well tolerated and provided a benefit to some patients. These results were published in Lancet Oncology.

Sequential and Alternating Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Similarly Effective for Larynx Cancer (02/02/2009)
Among patients with operable, advanced squamous cell cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx, two different approaches to the delivery of chemotherapy and radiation therapy produced similar rates of larynx preservation and survival. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.