MOLECULAR TARGET THERAPY FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.

A general review of the therapeutic experience of the management of carcinoma of the head and neck at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is presented. Early lesions are highly curable by radiation therapy alone; the advanced lesions are preferably treated by combined irradiation and surgery, with improved survival rates. Concepts of various approaches are...

Gene therapy for head and neck cancers.

Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has not significantly improved over the past 30 years. Locally recurrent or refractory disease is particularly difficult to treat. Repeat surgical resection and/or radiotherapy are often not possible, and long-term results for salvage chemotherapy are poor. Recent ...

Commentary (Frank): Gene Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers

Lamont et al have presented a very clear and concise review of current gene therapy strategies in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. While the presentation highlighted the most important work to date in this expanding field, it also made reference to some controversies and challenges that we are now facing. With this in mind, I would like to expand on and clarify se...

Head and neck cancers.

Ultrasonographic changes of submandibular glands in irradiated patients for head and neck cancers

Background: Salivary glands (SGs) are usually irradiated during radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, which may lead to radiation-induced changes. These changes could be evaluated safely by ultrasonography; however, there have been few studies in this regard. Thus, we aimed to investigate the changes in post-radiotherapy submandibular glands using ultrasonography in patients undergoing head-n...