Current Clinical Trials

When radiation is given, careful choice of radiation technique by a radiation oncologist experienced in managing head and neck cancers is essential. Interstitial radiation techniques may be used when indicated. The choice of treatment is dictated by the anticipated functional, cosmetic, and socioeconomic results of the treatment options as well as by the available expertise of the surgeon or radiation therapist. Treatment is individualized for each patient.

Standard treatment options:

• Surgery or radiation therapy are equally successful in controlling this stage of oropharyngeal cancer. Radiation may be the preferred modality as evidenced in the RTOG-9003 ¹trial, for example, where the functional deficit will be great, such as the tongue base or tonsil.[1-3]

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage II oropharyngeal cancer ². The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI Web site ³.

References

1. Mendenhall WM, Amdur RJ, Stringer SP, et al.: Radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region: a preferred alternative to surgery? J Clin Oncol 18 (11): 2219-25, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
2. Fu KK, Pajak TF, Trotti A, et al.: A Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) phase III randomized study to compare hyperfractionation and two variants of accelerated fractionation to standard fractionation radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: first report of RTOG 9003. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 48 (1): 7-16, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
3. Mendenhall WM, Morris CG, Amdur RJ, et al.: Definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue. Am J Clin Oncol 29 (1): 32-9, 2006.  [PUBMED Abstract]