Carcinomas of the Head and Neck: Evaluation and Management (Cancer Treatment and Research Book 52)

It was not too many years ago that the role of chemotherapy for head and neck cancer consisted of single-agent methotrexate for selected patients with recurrent disease. In the past decade, multiple new agents, high-dose chemotherapy, combinations, and intra-arterial approaches have been used for the patient with recurrent disease. Wheeler critically assesses the current status of these approaches. When oncologists began testing chemotherapy in the combined modality approach, trials consisted of induction chemotherapy and use of single agents as radiosensitizers. Although a great deal has been learned from these trials, benefit in terms of survival has been marginal. Even more promising may be the concomitant use of combination chemo­ therapy and radiation. Taylor describes the encouraging results as well as the potential. Induction chemotherapy may have a second important goal in addition to improving curability-it could be used for organ preservation. Dimery et al., present the background for this approach in the patient with laryngeal cancer as well as a description of their randomized trial for voice preservation. Head and neck squamous cancers are a heterogeneous group of diseases, and surgeons have long sought parameters that will help predict outcome. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Head and Neck Cancer....Pages 3-30 Diagnostic Imaging in the Diagnosis of Malignant Invasion of the Carotid Artery: Ultrasound, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging....Pages 31-46 Craniofacial Resection for Tumors of the Ethmoid and Superior Nasal Vault....Pages 47-53 Surgical Resection for Recurrent Nasopharynx Cancer....Pages 55-59 Advanced Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Skin of the Head and Neck....Pages 61-81 Interstitial Hyperthermia in Head and Neck Oncology....Pages 83-93 Photodynamic Therapy in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer....Pages 95-113 Front Matter....Pages 115-115 Mechanisms for Vocal Communication Following Total Laryngectomy....Pages 117-131 Neck Dissection: Morbidity and Rehabilitation....Pages 133-147 Front Matter....Pages 149-149 Evaluation and Medical Management of Thyroid Cancer....Pages 151-170 Chemotherapy of Patients with Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer....Pages 171-193 Combined Chemotherapy and Radiation for Unresectable Head and Neck Cancer....Pages 195-208 The Role of Induction Chemotherapy for Organ Preservation in Laryngeal Carcinoma....Pages 209-222 Front Matter....Pages 223-223 Methodology and Clinical Applications of Cellular DNA Content Parameters Determined by Flow Cytometry in Squamous Cell Cancers of the Head and Neck....Pages 225-242 Head and Neck Tumor Immunology....Pages 243-263 Etiologic Considerations for Head and Neck Squamous Cancers....Pages 265-282 Back Matter....Pages 283-291