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Michigan Oncology Journal Summer, 2001

Advancements in Clinical and Basic Science Research from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

Contents:

From the Editor

A Novel Anti-angiogenesis Strategy for the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

Organ Preservation Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer

Improving Efficacy of Irradiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Neck Metastasis from Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract

Of Interest - Clinical Trials and New Faculty

Directory

 

Editor

Laurence H. Baker, D.O.
Deputy Director and
Director for Clinical Research
U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center

Assistant Editor

Maria McKinney White
Director
Marketing and Public Relations

Home Page:

http://www.med.umich.edu/cancer

Michigan Oncology Journal
Copyright ©2000
University of Michigan
Comprehensive Cancer Center

From the Editor

Carcinomas of the head and neck continue to vex us. Despite dramatic advances in surgical and non-surgical treatment options, the cure rate has remained unchanged over the past 30 years. The Head and Neck Oncology Program at the University of Michigan Cancer Center brings together the disciplines of surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology to collaborate on innovative approaches to improve the quality and quantity of these patients' lives.

In the lead article of this issue of Michigan Oncology Journal, Theodoros Teknos, M.D., Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, discusses tumor vascularity as a prognostic indicator in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. He reports on studies in his laboratory looking at the characteristics of advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas with a high level of vascularity. Dr. Teknos also reviews the promising anti-angiogenesis strategy of copper suppression.

Drs. Frank Worden and Susan Urba, Department of Internal Medicine/Hematology and Oncology, review the controversies surrounding organ preservation therapy for head and neck cancer patients. They also outline current U-M studies that are combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy in an effort to achieve local-regional disease control in patients with resectable cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx. In his article, Avraham Eisbruch, M.D., explains how strategies, such as changing the radiation fractionation schemes and adding chemotherapy or radiosensitizers to radiation treatment, are being used in an effort to improve the efficacy of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. He also discusses a new U-M trial that is open for accrual using gemcitabine for non-resectable head and neck cancer.

Douglas B. Chepeha, M.D., M.S.P.H, F.R.C.S.(C), describes efforts by his group to improve the outlook for patients with metastasized squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodi-gestive tract. The team is following a prospective cohort of patients who are at high risk. In this article, Dr. Chepeha reviews efforts to improve diagnosis through the use of lymphatic mapping; tailor treatment by looking at selective vs. modified radical neck dissection; and advance the understanding of the biology of metastasis through molecular modeling.

Laurence H. Baker, D.O.

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Directory

At Your Service
The Head and Neck Oncology Clinic team would be pleased to hear from you about patients with any stage of disease. Please contact us (734) 615-6095.

Physicians
Carol R. Bradford, M.D., F.A.C.S
Medical Director,
Head and Neck Cancer Clinic
Associate Professor, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Douglas B. Chepeha, M.D., F.R.C.S.
Assistant Professor,
Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Laura A. Dawson, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Radiation Oncology

Kenneth J. Dornfeld, Ph.D.
Lecturer,
Radiation Oncology

Avraham Eisbruch, M.D.
Associate Professor,
Radiation Oncology

Norman D. Hogikyan, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Assistant Professor,
Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Lawrence J. Marentette, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology,
Facial Plastic Division Craniomaxillofacial/Cranial Base Surgery

Mark E. P. Prince, M.D.
Assistant Professor,
Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Theodoros (Ted) N. Teknos, M.D.
Assistant Professor,
Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Jeffrey Terrell, B.A., M.D.
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology

Susan Urba, M.D.
Associate Professor,
Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology

Janet Urban, B.S., M.S.
Physician Assistant,
Coordinator for Cranial Base Program

Gregory T. Wolf, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor,
Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Francis P. Worden, M.D.
Lecturer,
Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology

Sameul Zwetchkenbaum, Sc.B, D.D.S
Clinical Assistant Professor of Dentistry

Clinical Care Coordinators
Veronica (Ronnie) Carpenter, R.N., B.S., O.C.N.
Medical Oncology

Tamara (Tammi) H. Miller, R.N., B.S.N.
Otolaryngology

Nurses
Heidi Mason, R.N., M.S.N., O.C.N., C.S.
Nurse Practitioner, Medical Oncology Leah Shults, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N. Clinical Nurse, Medical Oncology Nancy Wallace, B.S.N., C.O.R.L.N. Nurse Coordinator, Otolaryngology

Other numbers:
Cancer AnswerLine (800) 865-1125
U-M Medical Center information (734) 936-4000

Executive Officers of the University of Michigan Medical Center
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president for medical affairs; Larry Warren, interim executive director, U-M Hospitals; A. Lorris Betz, M.D., interim dean, U-M Medical School. The Regents of the University Laurence B. Deitch, Daniel D. Horning, Olivia P. Maynard, Shirley M. McFee, Rebecca McGowan, Andrea Fischer Newman, Philip H. Power, S. Martin Taylor, Lee Bollinger, president. The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. © 1997.

The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the University’s Director of Affirmative Action and Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, 4005 Wolverine Tower, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1281. (734) 763-0235, TDD (734) 747-1388, Fax (734) 763-2891. University of Michigan Information: (734) 764-1817.

The University of Michigan Health System is committed to Total Quality.

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