BACKGROUND: Transcriptionally active high-risk human papilloma viruses (HPVs), particularly HPV type 16 (HPV16), are found in a subset of head and neck squamous-cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). HPV16-associated carcinogenesis is mediated by expression of the viral E6 and E7 oncoproteins, which cause deregulation of the cell cycle by inactivating p53 and pRb, respectively. We tested the hypothesis that HPV-associated HNSCCs display a pattern of genetic alterations different from those of HNSCCs ...

BackgroundCancer survivors have to deal with a wide range of physical symptoms, psychological, social and existential concerns, and lifestyle issues related to cancer and its treatment. Therefore, it is essential that they have access to optimal supportive care services. The eHealth self-management application Oncokompas was developed to support cancer survivors with where they need to turn to for advice and guidance, as well as to increase their knowledge on the availability of optimal ...

BACKGROUND: The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer, a disease affecting younger patients, is rapidly increasing. Cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, has been proposed for treatment de-escalation in this setting to reduce the toxicity of standard cisplatin treatment, but no randomised evidence exists for the efficacy of this strategy.

METHODS: We did an open-label randomised controlled phase 3 trial at 32 head and neck treatment ...

OBJECTIVES: The detection of distant metastases at initial evaluation may alter the selection of therapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study the value of screening for distant metastases is evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis.

METHODS: The results of screening for distant metastases were retrospectively analyzed in 101 consecutive HNSCC patients with high-risk factors who were scheduled for major surgery. All patients had computed ...

PURPOSE: Immuno-positron emission tomography (PET), the combination of PET with monoclonal antibodies (mAb), is an attractive option to improve tumor detection and to guide mAb-based therapy. The long-lived positron emitter zirconium-89 ((89)Zr) has ideal physical characteristics for immuno-PET with intact mAbs but has never been used in a clinical setting. In the present feasibility study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic imaging performance of immuno-PET with (89)Zr-labeled-chimeric ...

Recent studies have reported that p16 protein overexpression qualifies as a surrogate marker identifying an oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, there is still a percentage of OPSCCs that are positive for p16 immunohistochemistry (p16 IHC) but lack HPV DNA. The objective of this study was to characterize this group at the molecular level by performing sensitive HPV DNA- and RNA-based PCR methods and genetic profiling. ...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To gain insight into cancer survivors' needs towards an eHealth application monitoring quality of life and targeting personalised access to supportive care.

BACKGROUND: Supportive care in cancer addresses survivors' concerns and needs. However, many survivors are not taking advantage of supportive care provided. To enable cancer survivors to benefit, survivors' needs must be identified timely and effectively. An eHealth application could be a solution to meet ...

BACKGROUND: Incidence and survival trends of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are essential knowledge for guiding policy making and research.

METHODS: The total population of the Netherlands was studied covering 1989-2011. Two-and five-year survival and age-standardized incidence rates of HNSCC were assessed in relation to site, gender and age (15 years-of-age categories).

RESULTS: We recorded a statistically significant increase of oral, oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal ...

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the efficacy of behavioural intervention technologies that can be used by cancer survivors independently from a health-care provider is scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy, reach, and usage of Oncokompas, a web-based eHealth application that supports survivors in self-management by monitoring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cancer-generic and tumour-specific symptoms and obtaining tailored feedback with a personalised overview of supportive care ...

BACKGROUND: The clinical results of radiotherapy and endoscopic cordectomy for T1a glottic carcinoma are reported to be similar, but costs of both treatments may differ. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the costs, voice quality, quality of life, and clinical results of both treatments.

METHODS: Costs and effects from the first visit up to 2 years of follow-up were calculated, based on chart data of 35 and 54 patients who were treated with curative intent for T1a glottic carcinoma ...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this multicentre prospective study was to investigate the significance of the radiation dose in the major and minor salivary glands, and other pre-treatment and treatment factors, with regard to the development of patient-rated xerostomia and sticky saliva among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with primary (chemo-) radiotherapy ((CH)RT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study population was composed of 167 consecutive HNC patients treated with ...

BACKGROUND: Both induction chemotherapy followed by irradiation and concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been reported as valuable alternatives to total laryngectomy in patients with advanced larynx or hypopharynx cancer. We report results of the randomized phase 3 trial 24954 from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

METHODS: Patients with resectable advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (tumor stage T3-T4) or hypopharynx (T2-T4), with ...

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) plays a role in the development of a subgroup of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, uncertainty exists about the true impact of HPV in this tumor type as conflicting reports have been published with prevalence rates from 0 to 100%. We aimed to find a detection algorithm of a biologically and thus clinically meaningful infection, applicable for high-throughput screening of frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) ...

The aim of the study was to define the cost-effectiveness of whole-body (18)F-FDG PET, as compared with chest CT, in screening for distant metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODS: In a multicenter prospective study, 145 consecutive patients with high risk factors for distant metastases and scheduled for extensive treatment underwent chest CT and whole-body (18)F-FDG PET for screening of distant metastases. The cost data of 80 patients in whom ...