OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER

This phase 3 trial tests whether using a special scan (SPECT-CT) to guide radiation to only one side of the neck works as well as standard radiation to both sides for people with oropharyngeal cancer. The study includes 510 participants with early-stage cancer on one side of the …

This early-stage trial is testing whether injecting the local anesthetic lidocaine into HPV-related throat tumors before robotic surgery is safe and might help destroy more cancer cells. About 30 adults with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer will receive the injection during a ro…

This study tests whether a blood test that detects tumor DNA can help doctors choose the right amount of chemotherapy and radiation after surgery for HPV-positive throat cancer. The goal is to give less intense treatment to patients with a low risk of cancer returning, reducing s…

This study is testing whether a much lower dose of radiation (30 Gy) combined with standard chemotherapy can control HPV-positive throat cancer as well as the usual high dose (70 Gy). The goal is to reduce side effects from radiation while still keeping the cancer from coming bac…

This study tests giving chemotherapy and immunotherapy before standard surgery for head and neck cancer. The goal is to shrink tumors enough so that surgeons can perform less extensive, function-preserving operations, reducing damage to swallowing, speech, and vision. The trial e…

This Phase 2 trial is testing whether giving the immunotherapy drug toripalimab along with standard chemotherapy before surgery or radiation can shrink HPV16-positive oropharyngeal (throat) tumors by at least 50%. The study enrolls 30 patients with advanced but localized disease.…

This study tests whether giving patients with a specific type of throat cancer (p16+ oropharyngeal cancer) a personalized, less intense treatment can keep cancer from coming back while reducing side effects. About 150 adults with early-stage disease will either have surgery follo…

This pilot study is testing whether people with early-stage oral or throat cancer (T1-N0 or T2-N0) can safely have their tumor removed as an outpatient, going home the same day. The procedure also includes a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check for cancer spread. Researchers will …

This study is testing whether a simple mouth rinse can detect HPV-related throat cancer early, before symptoms appear. Researchers will compare results from 200 people with throat cancer and 200 healthy volunteers matched by age, sex, and background. If accurate, this test could …

This study tests whether a daily physical activity routine, started before and continued during radiotherapy, can improve physical function and quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. 80 patients with tumors of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx will be randomly as…

This study tests whether closely watching jaw movement and starting physical therapy early can prevent or reduce trismus (jaw tightness) in people receiving radiation for head and neck cancer. Thirty adults will be checked weekly during treatment and given jaw exercises if their …

This Phase 2 trial tests whether using MRI to map saliva ducts before radiation therapy can reduce dry mouth in people with oropharyngeal cancer. About 98 participants will be randomly assigned to standard radiation planning or a new approach that spares the parotid ducts. The ma…

This study tests whether a special massage called manual lymph drainage can help reduce swelling in the face and neck caused by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. The study will include 40 people who have finished radiation within the past year. It compares two different…

This study tests whether injecting a long-lasting local anesthetic called EXPAREL (liposomal bupivacaine) into the surgical wound can improve pain control and swallowing function in 80 adults undergoing robotic surgery for throat cancer. Participants will be compared to those who…

This study is building a huge registry of information and biological samples from adults with or at risk for many types of cancer, as well as healthy volunteers. Researchers will use this resource to study what causes cancer and how to better prevent, detect, and treat it. The re…

This study looks at how cancer and its treatments change a person's sense of taste and smell, and how that affects their eating and nutrition. Researchers will follow 306 people newly diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, throat, colon, or liver. They will use questionnaires, taste…

This study is testing whether liquid biopsies (blood tests that look for bits of HPV and tumor DNA) can help doctors monitor treatment and spot early signs of cancer returning in people with HPV-related cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. Researchers will follow 480 participants …