Head and Neck Cancer

Clinical Trials

Below is a list of Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials from the clinical trials database at Mayo Clinic.

This list includes only trials about which Mayo researchers choose to publish information. Mayo Clinic may be conducting other trials which are not in this database. Mayo's clinical trials include experimental treatments, often unavailable elsewhere, which frequently lead to improved patient care for people worldwide. Patients should ask their doctor at Mayo about clinical trials appropriate for their situation.

ARAR0331, "Treatment of Childhood Nasopharyngeal Cancer with Chemotherapy and Chemoradiotherapy"
Patients are being asked to take part in this research study because they have a rare malignant (cancerous) tumor called nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The tumor is in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Air passes through it to the lungs and food passes through it as it is swallowed. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into an ear.

Because of where it sits, an NPC-type tumor cannot usually be totally removed by surgery. Standard (usual) treatment for people diagnosed very early is radiation therapy only. Others, with more advanced disease get chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These people commonly have larger tumors, or cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes of the neck. This study will use radiation therapy, chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy.
- Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Chemoradiotherapy is chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation therapy


Why Is This Study Being Done?
Recent studies done in adults have shown that chemoradiotherapy works better than radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy.

Studies in adults have also shown that the drug amifostine can help prevent the loss of, and thickening of, saliva. This side effect of radiation therapy to the head and neck causes dryness of the mouth which leads to dental problems, problems swallowing and infections.

The goals of this study are:
1) To see if a combination of chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy works better at treating children with advanced NPC than the standard therapy.
2) To see how well amifostine protects children against dry mouth when given daily before radiation therapy.
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Electroacupuncture for Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) in Head and Neck Patients
This study is being done to:
- To find out if electrostimulation with a Liss stimulator can improve salivary flow,
- To determine if electrostimulation using the Liss Stimulator can improve the sensation of mouth dryness in patients with chronic radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth); and
- To learn if electrostimulation with the Liss stimulator has an effect on quality of life
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