scholarly journals Activity of combined gemcitabine therapy on treatment of planocellular carcinoma: A pilot study

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-111
Author(s):  
Danijela Scepanovic ◽  
Nada Bajic ◽  
Jovan Babic
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Chemotherapy Group ◽  
Radiotherapy Group ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND: Drug-orientated, pilot study was conducted to estimate the activity of gemcitabine on treatment of head and neck and lung planocellular carcinoma in combination with either radiotherapy or chemotherapy. METHODS There were 22 patients treated with gemcitabine for planocellular carcinoma of head and neck (9 patients) and lung (13 patients). Combined gemcitabine-radiotherapy was applied in 10 patients while gemcitabine-chemotherapy in 12 patients. Eligible and evaluable patients (22) were with either locally advanced (14 patients) or metastatic (8 patients) stage of the disease. In gemcitabine-radiotherapy group, gemcitabine was given IV, 1000 mg/ m2, on day 1, 8, and 15 during the radiotherapy course as radiopotentiator (65 Gy in 32 fractions for head and neck, and 55 Gy in 20 fractions, split course one month for lung cancer patients). In gemcitabine-chemotherapy group the same dose of gemcitabine was given (4-week schedule) in combination with platinum based cytotoxic drugs. We analyzed response rate and toxicity. RESULTS: Among patients treated for head and neck planocellular carcinoma, there were 67% complete responders while there was 15% complete responders treated for lung cancer. Also, 80% of patients treated in gemcitabine-radiotherapy group had complete response while 50% of those treated in gemc- itabine-chemotherapy group. Actuarial survival as function of tumor control was 52% for lung and 88% for head and neck cancer 12 months after the initiation of treatment. In gemcitabine-radiotherapy group of patients treated for head and neck carcinoma, the radiation mucositis grade III was observed in 80% while in gemcitabine - chemotherapy group of patients the most common side effect (60% of patients) was neutropenia grade II (40%)/III (20%). CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference regarding response rate between two groups of patients (head and neck vs. lung cancer, and gemcitabine- radiotherapy vs. gemcitabine - chemotherapy). However, better clinical results were achieved for head and neck cancer patients, particularly in gemcitabine - radiotherapy group but with significant toxicity due to high gemcitabine dose.

scholarly journals ЦИТОГЕНЕТИЧНІ ПОШКОДЖЕННЯ ХРОМАТИДНОГО ТИПУ ТА ГЕНОМНІ ПОРУШЕННЯ У ЛІМФОЦИТАХ ОНКОЛОГІЧНИХ ПАЦІЄНТІВ З РІЗНОЮ ЛОКАЛІЗАЦІЄЮ ПУХЛИН ПРИ ПРОМЕНЕВІЙ ТЕРАПІЇ

2019 ◽  
pp. 110-120
Author(s):  
Т. С. Сипко
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Tumor Localization ◽  
Damage Level ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chromatid Aberrations

The article showed the study of chromatid type aberrations and genome abnormalities in 65 cancer patients at the stages of radiotherapy depending on tumor localization. Оncogynecological patients (with cancer in female reproductive system), lung cancer patients and head and neck cancer patients were examined before treatment, in the middle and at the end of the radiotherapy course. The over-spontaneous level of chromatid type aberrations and genomic abnormalities in cancer patients before the radiotherapy start was noted. The highest level of chromatid type aberrations before treatment was observed in lung cancer patients. No significant changes in the level of chromatid aberrations in oncogynecological patients during the whole radiotherapy course were detected. In the middle of treatment there was a significant frequency increase of chromatid type aberrations in head and neck cancer patients compared with pre-radiotherapy values of these parameters. This increase disappeared at the end of the radiotherapy course. In contrast to oncogynecological cancer patients and head and neck cancer patients in the group of lung cancer patients there was a significant increase of chromatid type damage level from the beginning to the end of the radiotherapy. The accumulation of radiation-non-specific rearrangements was mainly due to chromatid fragments, and the level of chromatid exchanges remained unchanged during the radiotherapy. The frequency variations of genome abnormalities, such as hyperploids and endoreplications, fluctuated in all patient groups. Concerning the polyploid cells, a significant difference at all stages of the study was observed in oncogynecological patients. The research of chromatid type aberrations and genome abnormalities showed some different features in changes of these parameters depending on tumor localization. The obtained data complemented the knowledge about the general cytogenetic status of cancer patients and are important for determining the influence of such a factor as tumor localization on the formation and dynamics of radiation-non-specific chromatid type lesions and genomic abnormalities during a radiotherapy course.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the prevalence and severity of xerophthalmia in head and neck cancers patients undergoing curative radiotherapy

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sowmya V ◽  
Dipika Jayachander ◽  
Vijna Kamath ◽  
Mithun SK Rao ◽  
Mohammed Raees Tonse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Cancer Group ◽  
Curative Radiotherapy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rectal Cancers

  Background: The study objective was to assess the development of xerophthalmia [dry eye syndrome (DES) or keratoconjunctivitis sicca] in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.Methods: Twenty two head and neck cancer patients requiring more than 60 Gy of curative radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy and ten patients requiring radiotherapy/ chemoradiotherapy for treating cancers in the non head and neck regions (like breast, oesophagus, prostate, cervix and rectal cancers) were also enrolled in the study. The development of DES was studied at the beginning (day 0, before the start of radiotherapy) at day 21 (after completion of 30 Gy) and on completion of the treatment (> 60 Gy). As a comparative cohort, people with non head and neck cancer needing curative radiotherapy were also evaluated for comparison.Results: There was no difference in degree of DES between the Head and Neck cancer cohorts and non head and neck group at the beginning of treatment. However there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the two groups at both mid and end of RT time point. Inter comparison between the various time points in the head and neck cancer group showed that the incidence of DES increased with the radiation exposure and was significant (pre to mid p < 0.001; and mid to end p < 0.005). A negative (r = -0.262) correlation was seen between DES and distance.Conclusions: The study showed that lesser the distance from the epicenter of the radiation to the orbital rim more was the severity of DES.

scholarly journals An assessment of Oxford Nanopore sequencing for human gut metagenome profiling: A pilot study of head and neck cancer patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 105739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thidathip Wongsurawat ◽  
Mayumi Nakagawa ◽  
Omar Atiq ◽  
Hannah N. Coleman ◽  
Piroon Jenjaroenpun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Nanopore Sequencing ◽  
Human Gut ◽  
Oxford Nanopore ◽  
Gut Metagenome

Prospective, Longitudinal Quality-of-Life Study of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Feasibility Study Including the EORTC QLQ-C30

1997 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 666-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Hammerlid ◽  
Kristin Bjordal ◽  
Marianne Ahlner-ELMQVIST ◽  
Magnus Jannert ◽  
Stein Kaasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Eortc Qlq C30 ◽  
Eortc Qlq

Despite modern advances in the treatment of head and neck cancer, the survival rate fails to improve. Considering the different treatment modalities involved, quality of life has been thought of as an additional end point criterion for use in clinical trials. A Nordic protocol to measure the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients before, during, and after treatment was established. Before the study, a pilot study was done with this protocol. The main purpose of this pilot study was to find out whether this cancer population would answer quality-pf-life questionnaires repeatedly (six times) over a 1-year period and whether the chosen questionnaires—a core questionnaire (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)), a tumor-specific questionnaire, and a psychological distress measure (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD))—were sensitive for changes to functions and symptoms during the study year. The results presented in this article all refer to the pilot study. Forty-eight consecutive patients agreed to participate in the study. The most common tumor locations were the oral cavity (17) and the larynx (12). Almost all patients received combined treatment: 45 of 48 radiation therapy, 18 of 48 chemotherapy, and 17 of 48 surgery. After the primary treatment, 40 patients had complete tumor remission. Four of the 48 patients did not answer any questionnaires and were therefore excluded from the study. Of the remaining 44 patients, 3 died during the study year, and another 6 withdrew for various reasons. Thirty-five (85%) of the 41 patients alive at the 1-year follow-up answered all six questionnaires and thus completed the study. Mailed questionnaires were used throughout the study. All questionnaires were well accepted and found to be sensitive to changes during the study year. The greatest variability was found for symptoms and functions related specifically to head and neck cancer. The symptoms were swallowing difficulties, hoarse voice, sore mouth, dry mouth, and problems with taste. They all showed the same pattern, with an increase of symptoms during and just after finishing the treatment. The HAD scale revealed a high level of psychological distress, with 21% probable cases of psychiatric morbidity at diagnosis. In conclusion, it was shown that the study design and questionnaires were feasible for the forthcoming prospective quality-of-life assessment of Swedish and Norwegian head and neck cancer patients.

A historical review of head and neck cancer in celebrities

2006 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 511-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
B J Folz ◽  
A Ferlito ◽  
N Weir ◽  
L W Pratt ◽  
A Rinaldo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Term Survival

Introduction: The illnesses of celebrity patients always receive more attention from the general public than those of ordinary patients. With regard to cancer, this fact has helped to spread information about the four major malignancies: breast cancer, prostatic cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Head and neck cancer, on the other hand, is still not well recognised by the lay public, although the risk factors are similar to those of lung cancer. It was the objective of this analysis to identify cases of celebrity patients, the description of which could help to increase awareness of head and neck cancer, its symptoms and risk factors.Methods: The Internet and medical literature databases were searched for celebrity patients who had suffered from head and neck cancer.Results: The search revealed numerous famous head and neck cancer patients. However, only seven cases were documented well in the medical literature. Among the identified persons were one emperor, two United States presidents, a legendary composer, a world-renowned medical doctor, an outstanding athlete and an extraordinary entertainer. In spite of their exclusive position in society, these patients did not have a better prognosis compared with ordinary patients of their time. Only two of the group experienced long term survival and only one was cured. None of these influential figures used their influence to fund research or to promote knowledge about their respective diseases.Conclusion: The identified cases could help increase public awareness of head and neck cancer. Similar to activities in other oncologic fields, current celebrity head and neck cancer patients should be encouraged to discuss their diseases openly, which could have a positive effect on public health.

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