Author: Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA Source: www.cancertherapyadvisor.com Acupuncture can improve symptoms of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer, according to a phase 3 trial presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting 2022. Patients who underwent true acupuncture reported greater improvements in symptoms and quality of life than did patients who underwent sham acupuncture and those who received standard oral hygiene alone. These results suggest that acupuncture should be considered for treating radiation-induced xerostomia, said study presenter Lorenzo Cohen, PhD, of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr Cohen explained that current treatments for radiation-induced xerostomia have a low success rate, but small studies have suggested that acupuncture may relieve symptoms. The researchers therefore set out to evaluate acupuncture in a randomized, phase 3, controlled trial. The trial enrolled adults with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The patients had received bilateral radiation therapy and subsequently developed grade 2-3 xerostomia. All patients completed radiation therapy at least 12 months before enrollment, and parotid glands and at least 1 submandibular gland were intact. A total of 258 patients underwent randomization. They all received standard oral hygiene and were randomly assigned to undergo true acupuncture (n=86), sham acupuncture (n=86), or no additional intervention (n=86). Patients who underwent acupuncture did so twice weekly for 4 weeks. Patients who achieved a minor response continued with true or sham acupuncture for an additional 4 weeks. Baseline characteristics were well balanced across the arms. A majority of patients were men, were [...]

Author: Shalini Saksena Source: www.new9live.com People are unaware that tobacco contains more than 60 dangerous chemicals, including carcinogen promoting substances. The symptoms of tongue cancer may not be visible in early stages, especially if disease is towards base of tongue: Dr Kapil Dev. Large tumors are removed by a partial glossectomy, which involves removing a portion of the tongue. Cigarette smoking is a common sight today, not only among adults but the youngsters too. While the habit of smoking is more of social behavior for many, its harmful consequences are only realized when the body starts breaking down. Dr Kapil Dev, consultant, Surgical Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital in Jaipur told News9 that many people are unaware that tobacco contains more than 60 dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens and cancer-promoting substances, which can infiltrate the body's numerous systems and cause mouth, lung and even tongue cancer. What is tongue cancer? It is a type of cancer that develops in the tongue's cells. Tongue cancer most commonly develops in the thin, flat squamous cells that line the surface of the tongue. It occurs, like other cancers, when cells divide uncontrollably and accumulate to form a tumor. There are two types of tongue cancers. "One is known as oral tongue cancer because it affects the section of the tongue that can be projected out. The other takes place near the base of the tongue, where it joins your throat. This type of cancer, known as oropharyngeal cancer, is frequently detected after it has progressed [...]

Author: Klark Byrd Source: www.oilcitynews.com CASPER, Wyo. — Rocky Mountain Oncology Center is offering the public a no-cost head and neck cancer screening this summer. From 2 to 4 p.m. on June 25, the center will be open to the public in an effort to promote early detection of head and neck cancers. Screenings will take place at Rocky Mountain Oncology Center, 6501 E. 2nd St. In collaboration with local ENTs, dentists and oral surgeons, no-cost head and neck cancer screenings will be done for anyone with a lump in the neck, a sore in the mouth, a throat that does not heal and may be painful, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice, a news release about the event states. No appointment is necessary.  

Author: Mark Leiser Source: www.healio.com DALLAS — Treatment modality for HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma varied considerably by facility type, according to study results. The findings — presented at American Head & Neck Society Annual Meeting — showed academic hospitals more frequently utilized surgery instead of radiation therapy or chemoradiation therapy alone as the primary treatment modality for early- and late-stage cancers. The findings suggest a lack of standardized treatment regimens that prevent patients from receiving universal care independent of facility resources, Monica S. Trent, MD, first-year resident at University of California, Irvine, and colleagues concluded. “There are many different ways to treat HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and, in order to try to determine the best treatment option, it is important to know who is offering what types of treatment at different centers,” Trent told Healio. “Our results show patients are being treated differently depending on where they present, and treatment is not standardized across different types of facilities.” Background and methods HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is distinct from HPV-negative disease. It more frequently affects younger, healthier patients, and it is associated with improved prognosis and better historical survival outcomes after standard radiation and chemoradiation treatment protocols. The development of transoral robotic surgery offers an alternative upfront treatment option that could reduce short- and long-term morbidity without compromising oncologic outcomes, according to study background. However, due to the required resources and training needed for this modality, it has been offered primarily at academic medical centers. Trent and colleagues retrospectively [...]