Pilot study: Raman spectroscopy in differentiating premalignant and malignant oral lesions from normal mucosa and benign lesions in humans.

Background: Current practice for differentiating tissue lesions are based on histopathological criteria. This process is subject to error. The purpose of this study was to test whether an alternative, tissue-based molecular signatures Raman spectra could be used to differentiate premalignant and malignant lesions from normal mucosa or benign lesions.

Why NFP.

Natural family planning, as a function of God's will is also a function of the natural law. For years we have been waging war on our fertility in the practice of artificial birth control to the point that many countries, especially in the West are demographically below replacement levels. On the other hand, while vast numbers of women are ignorant of the significance of those changing mucus sensations, modern methods of NFP, if the intention is to avoid/postpone pregnancy are scientifically secure.

The Papal Commission on Birth Control-revisited.

The Papal Commission on Population, the Family, and Birth-rate met in Rome from 1963 to 1966. After these years of deliberation a Majority Report, written by Rev. Henri de Riedmatten, O.

Significant Risks of Oral Contraceptives (OCPs): Why This Drug Class Should Not Be Included in a Preventive Care Mandate.

Pregnancy is not a disease. But more fundamentally, neither is human fertility. They are normal physiologic processes of the sexually mature person.

Treatment of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma with adjuvant or definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Purpose: The optimal management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) typically involves surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the setting of adverse pathologic features. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is frequently used to treat oral cavity cancers, but published IMRT outcomes specific to this disease site are sparse. We report the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute experience with IMRT-based treatment for OCSCC.

Swallowing function following postchemoradiotherapy neck dissection: review of findings and analysis of contributing factors.

Objective: This study assesses swallowing function following chemoradiotherapy and neck dissection in head and neck cancer patients and investigates clinical, treatment, and neck dissection factors associated with dysphagia.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Efficacy and toxicity of chemoradiotherapy using intensity-modulated radiotherapy for unknown primary of head and neck.

Purpose: No single standard treatment paradigm is available for head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma of an unknown primary (HNCUP). Bilateral neck radiotherapy with mucosal axis irradiation is widely used, with or without chemotherapy and/or surgical resection. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a highly conformal method for delivering radiation that is becoming the standard of care and might reduce the long-term treatment-related sequelae.

Salivary gland tumors treated with adjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy.

Purpose: To analyze the recent single-institution experience of patients with salivary gland tumors who had undergone adjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), with or without concurrent chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 35 salivary gland carcinoma patients treated primarily at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between 2005 and 2010 with surgery and adjuvant IMRT. The primary endpoints were local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival.

Utilizing computed tomography as a road map for designing selective and superselective neck dissection after chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: To determine whether computed tomography can distinguish low risk neck levels that can be omitted when neck dissection is undertaken after chemoradiotherapy.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Efficacy and toxicity of reirradiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy for recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer.

Background: Patients with locally recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) are reported to have a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Optimal management is selectively applied and morbid. Both surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy are reported to result in median survivals of approximately 12 months.

Combined antegrade and retrograde esophageal dilation for head and neck cancer-related complete esophageal stenosis.

Objectives/hypothesis: Assess the safety and efficacy of combined antegrade and retrograde esophageal dilation (CARD) for complete esophageal stenosis following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. Review HNC dysphagia management.

Study Design: Retrospective review of all patients undergoing CARD following HNC treatment between May 2001 and September 2008.

Phase I study of C-TPF in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose: Phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of fluorouracil (FU) in the docetaxel/cisplatin/FU (TPF) regimen when combined with cetuximab (C) for induction treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Patients And Methods: Patients with previously untreated SCCHN were enrolled. FU cohorts were 700, 850, and 1,000 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days via continuous infusion.

A fluoroscopic and laryngoscopic study of glossopharyngeal insufflation and exsufflation.

Glossopharyngeal breathing, frequently performed by elite breath-hold divers, relies on muscles of the mouth and pharynx to move air into (glossopharyngeal insufflation, GI) and out of the lungs (glossopharyngeal exsufflation, GE). GI has also been used by patients with weak respiratory muscles. Fluoroscopic and endoscopic examinations were performed on four divers (three of whom were world record holders) during both GI and GE maneuvers.

A pilot surrogate endpoint biomarker study of celecoxib in oral premalignant lesions.

This study evaluated changes in prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels and related biomarkers in oral premalignant lesions (OPL) in response to celecoxib treatment. Twenty-two subjects were enrolled and treated with celecoxib. Pretreatment and 12-week biopsies were done.

Cisplatin and fluorouracil alone or with docetaxel in head and neck cancer.

Background: A randomized phase 3 trial of the treatment of squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck compared induction chemotherapy with docetaxel plus cisplatin and fluorouracil (TPF) with cisplatin and fluorouracil (PF), followed by chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: We randomly assigned 501 patients (all of whom had stage III or IV disease with no distant metastases and tumors considered to be unresectable or were candidates for organ preservation) to receive either TPF or PF induction chemotherapy, followed by chemoradiotherapy with weekly carboplatin therapy and radiotherapy for 5 days per week. The primary end point was overall survival.

Rate of pathologic complete responses to docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil induction chemotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Objective: To report the rate of pathological complete response after induction chemotherapy with the docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (TPF) combination.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: Tertiary care academic cancer center, between June 1999 and May 2004.

Dysphagia after sequential chemoradiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer.

Objectives: Assess impact of sequential chemoradiation therapy (SCRT) for advanced head and neck cancer (HNCA) on swallowing, nutrition, and quality of life.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study of 59 patients undergoing SCRT for advanced head and neck cancer. Follow-up median was 47.

Examining the need for neck dissection in the era of chemoradiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To (1) determine clinical factors that predict pathologic complete response (pCR) on neck dissection after sequential chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) for advanced head and neck cancer and (2) compare survival parameters between those who underwent neck dissection and those who did not among those patients with a clinical complete response (cCR) in the neck after SCRT, thus assessing the benefit of neck dissection in patients with a cCR in the neck.

Design: Retrospective review with a mean follow-up of 3.5 years.

Concurrent weekly docetaxel and concomitant boost radiation therapy in the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

Purpose: In a Phase I/II trial, we investigated concurrent weekly docetaxel and concomitant boost radiation in patients with locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) after induction chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Patients presented with American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage III/IV and were treated initially with induction chemotherapy using cisplatinum/5-fluorouracil (PF), carboplatinum-5-FU, or docetaxel-PF. Patients then received docetaxel four times weekly with concomitant boost (CB) radiation (1.

Chemoradiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma: preliminary results of an organ sparing approach.

Objectives: A retrospective review of primary chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) was performed to determine if CRT might be considered as an alternative to radiotherapy and/or definitive surgery.

Methods: All treatment-naive patients with ACC of the head and neck who were treated with definitive primary chemoradiotherapy using carboplatinum and paclitaxel at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2000 through 2004 were identified. Information on site, stage, presenting symptoms, performance status, treatment, toxicity, and follow up were collected and tabulated for review.

Phase I study of gefitinib plus celecoxib in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose: Effective and tolerable palliative treatments are needed for patients with incurable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Single-agent targeted therapies have limited activity in this setting. The feasibility of adding celecoxib to gefitinib for the treatment of incurable SCCHN is unknown.

Organ preservation and treatment toxicity with induction chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy or chemoradiation for advanced laryngeal cancer.

Objectives: The authors reviewed records of patients with advanced laryngeal cancer treated with induction chemotherapy (IC) and hyperfractionated radiation therapy (RT) or chemoradiation (CRT) to determine the rates of organ preservation and function.

Methods: A total of 29 patients with stage III (45%) and stage IV (55%) squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (SCCL), were treated with IC and RT or CRT in 1 of 7 consecutive trials. Fifty-five percent had clinically node-positive disease.

Definitive radiotherapy with interstitial implant boost for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term outcome of a cohort of patients with unresected base of tongue carcinoma who received interstitial brachytherapy after comprehensive external beam radiation therapy.

Methods: Between 1983 and 2000, 122 patients with primary or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx or oral cavity received interstitial brachytherapy as part of their overall management. Forty patients had primary, unresected carcinoma of the base of tongue and are the subjects of this analysis.

Induction chemotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck: evolution of the sequential treatment approach.

Cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (PF regimen) induction chemotherapy (IC) has been studied over the last two decades and has proven to be a durable and effective therapy for patients with locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN). Although randomized trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that PF-based IC improves survival, reduces systemic metastases, and permits organ preservation, the effect on overall survival has been less robust than the results seen with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimens. Differences in trial design, scheduling, and surgical interventions account for some of the variation in results.