Head & Neck Cancers | Specialty

The OncLive Head and Neck Cancer condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and expert insights on treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. This page features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts that focus on unmet needs, treatment advances, and ongoing research within head and neck cancer.

Expert Discusses Promise of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers

February 22nd 2016

Barbara Burtness, MD, discusses the potential for immunotherapy agents in head and neck cancer.

Martins on Lenvatinib's Significance in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

February 22nd 2016

Renato G. Martins, MD, discusses the impact of lenvatinib in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, how and when it should be used in clinical practice, and the future potential for the agent.

Dr. Cabanillas on Lenvatinib as First-Line Therapy for Patients With DTC

February 20th 2016

Maria E. Cabinillas, MD, associate professor, Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses administering lenvatinib (Lenvima) as a first-line therapy for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Biomarkers Indicate Survival Benefit With Afatinib in HNSCC

February 20th 2016

Both progression-free and overall survival with second-line afatinib (Gilotrif) in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are associated with several biomarkers.

Dr. Zevallos on Molecular Profile of HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal SCC Stratified by Smoking Status

February 20th 2016

Jose P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS, assistant professor, director of Oncologic Research, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, discusses a study that examined the molecular profile of patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) stratified by smoking status.

Induction Chemo Offers No OS Benefit for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

February 20th 2016

The use of induction chemotherapy for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma does not improve overall survival.

Dr. Ferris on Potential of Nivolumab in Head and Neck Cancer

February 19th 2016

Robert Ferris, MD, PhD, vice chair for Clinical Operations, associate director for Translational Research, and coleader of the Cancer Immunology Program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, discusses nivolumab's potential as a treatment of patients with head and neck cancer, as reported in the CheckMate-141 study.

Social Isolation, Financial Toxicity Equate to Risk Factors in Head and Neck Cancer

February 19th 2016

Patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer should be screened for social isolation and financial hardship, as these factors play a role in their ability to stay on medication, minimize hospital stays, and achieve optimal health outcomes.

Dr. Bible on Impact of Lenvatinib on Treatment Landscape of DTC

February 19th 2016

Keith C. Bible, MD, PhD, medical oncologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses the impact that lenvatinib (Lenvima) has had on the treatment landscape of differentiated thyroid cancer.

HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer Recurrence Typically Detected Within 6 Months of Treatment

February 19th 2016

In patients treated with definitive radiation therapy for HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, most recurrences can be detected via imaging at 3 months and physical examinations during the first 6 months after treatment.

Dr. Seiwert on Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer

February 19th 2016

Tanguy Y. Seiwert, MD, assistant professor of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, discusses the impact of immunotherapy agents as treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.

Chemoradiation Improves OS for Elderly Patients With Head and Neck Cancers

February 19th 2016

Concurrent chemoradiation significantly improved overall survival compared with radiation therapy alone for elderly patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers.

Dr. Cohen on Biomarkers Associated With Response in Patients With HNSCC Treated With Afatinib

February 18th 2016

Ezra Cohen, MD, associate director, Moores Cancer Center, professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego Health System, discusses tumor biomarker association with clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with afatinib versus methotrexate.

Nivolumab Hailed as “Game Changer” in Head and Neck Cancer

February 8th 2016

Robert Ferris, MD, PhD, discusses CheckMate-141, the biggest remaining challenges in head and neck cancer, and the potential for nivolumab as a treatment of patients with the disease.

Nivolumab Improves Survival in Phase III Head and Neck Cancer Study

January 28th 2016

Nivolumab has improved overall survival versus investigator's choice of therapy for patients with platinum-refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in the phase III CheckMate-141 trial.

Strains of Oral HPV Increases Risk of Head and Neck Cancers

January 28th 2016

Patients with a certain type of oral human papilloma virus have an increased risk of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Patients With Low-Risk Thyroid Microcarcinoma Benefit More With Active Surveillance

January 27th 2016

Results of a recent study show that patients with low-risk thyroid-related microcarcinoma who choose to undergo immediate surgery are at higher risk for adverse events and unnecessary risk compared with those who decide on active surveillance.

Promising Immuno-Oncology Approaches in the Management of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

January 27th 2016

Substantial evidence exists that a subset of squamous cell cancers of the head and neck display phenotypic changes that predict activity for immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Dr. Mukherjee on Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Thyroid Cancer and Risk of MDS

January 20th 2016

Sudipto Mukherjee, MD, associate staff, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, discusses a study examining the association between radioactive iodine treatment of thyroid cancer and the risk for developing myelodysplastic syndromes.

Dr. Burtness on Emerging Immunotherapies in Head and Neck Cancer

January 12th 2016

Barbara A. Burtness, MD, professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology), clinical research program leader, Head and Neck Cancers Program, co-director, Developmental Therapeutics Research Program, Yale Cancer Center, discusses emerging immunotherapies and ongoing clinical trials in head and neck cancer.