The Division of Head and Neck Surgery at IU School of Medicine is active in a variety of clinical and translational research projects. Current study is underway in collaboration with Andrea Bonetto, PhD looking at cancer cachexia in patients with head and neck cancer and the impact it has on recovery after surgery. Additional study is underway looking at what systemic changes are observed in soft tissue and bone of patients to get insight into potential targets for treatment that could be used to improve healing and quality of life.
Members of the head and neck team are also active in developing ways to detect early HPV-related throat cancers. A combined effort is underway with Luis Solorio, PhD, and members of the Purdue Biomedical Engineering program, to look at the ability to screen for these cancers using a non-invasive enhanced ultrasound screening method. In addition, members of the team are also regional and national advocates for the use of available HPV vaccines in order to prevent infections that can lead to these tumors.
Our multidisciplinary head and neck oncology program also offer clinical trials for qualified patients aimed at finding ways of improving on the current standard of care through a partnership with IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
