No Placebo Group
Every participant receives an active treatment — no one gets a placebo.
No Study Drug
Researchers observe your health over time — no experimental treatment is given.
Ready to participate?
Review the details below, then apply to join this clinical trial.
At a Glance
Age
18 – 89
Sex
Any
Study type
Observational
Participants needed
60 (estimated)
Sponsor
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Other
Who this trial is looking for
This trial is looking for people with head and neck cancer who are getting radiation therapy. Participants will complete some tests and questionnaires about their thinking and memory at three different times over the course of a year.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
You may be able to join if
I have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
I am between 18 and 89 years old.
I am starting radiation therapy soon.
I have an MRI or CT scan of my brain for treatment.
I do not have cancer that has spread to other parts of my body.
I can speak English well.
I have a Karnofsky Performance Status score of 70 or higher.
You may not be able to join if
I have multiple primary head and neck cancers.
I have had radiation therapy for any previous cancers.
I had chemotherapy in the last two years for another cancer.
I can't speak comfortably due to my cancer or treatment.
I have a neurodegenerative disorder affecting my thinking.
I have a history of stroke or head injury affecting my cognition.
I have been diagnosed with a serious mental health disorder.
I have severe vision or hearing problems that can't be fixed.
Summarized in plain language from this trial's official eligibility criteria.
The full criteria are further down this page — only the research team can
confirm whether you qualify.
Think this trial could be right for you?
Answer three quick questions written from this study's own rules to see if you may qualify. No account needed to find out.
The researchers are doing this study to collect more information about if, and how, neurocognitive function may be affected in people being treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Part of this study is to see if patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy are able to complete neurocognitive testing and questionnaires at 3 times over a period o…
The researchers are doing this study to collect more information about if, and how, neurocognitive function may be affected in people being treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Part of this study is to see if patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy are able to complete neurocognitive testing and questionnaires at 3 times over a period of 1 year.
Trial Locations
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Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Pathologically proven diagnosis of a head and neck cancer, specifically these subtypes: nasopharynx, maxillary sinus, tonsil, base of the tongue, oral cavity, or larynx/hypopharynx, oropharynx, cancer of unknown primary, or salivary gland.
* Ages ≥ 18 and \<89 at time of diagn…
Inclusion Criteria:
* Pathologically proven diagnosis of a head and neck cancer, specifically these subtypes: nasopharynx, maxillary sinus, tonsil, base of the tongue, oral cavity, or larynx/hypopharynx, oropharynx, cancer of unknown primary, or salivary gland.
* Ages ≥ 18 and \<89 at time of diagnosis.
* Recently diagnosed with their initial head and neck cancer and able to be consented prior to OR within first week of starting standard of care radiation therapy.
* Baseline simulation whole-brain MRI or CT available as part of standard of care.
* Patients diagnosed with cancer, no distant metastases.
* Karnofsky Performance Status of \>= 70 or comparable ECOG performance at enrollment.
* As per self-report, if currently taking psychoactive medications (excluding gabapentin and including but not limited to antidepressants, and anxiolytics) on a daily basis, dose must have been stable for at least two months prior to enrollment.
* English fluent as per self-reported fluency of "well' or "very well", and having a reasonable comprehension of the study conversation in the opinion of the research staff).\*\* \*\* Language verification: Prior to enrollment, all patients will be asked the following two questions by the CRC to verify English fluency necessary for participation in the study:
1. How well do you speak English?
Must respond "Well" or "Very well" when given the choices of:
Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused.
2. What is your preferred language for healthcare? Must respond English.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with multiple primary head and neck cancers, carcinoma of unknown primary, or recurrence.
* Patients who previously received radiation therapy to the head and neck region as treatment for any prior cancer for any other non-cancerous condition.
* Patients who had chemotherapy within two years prior to their recent diagnosis of head and neck cancer, such as patients who received chemotherapy as treatment for any other type of cancer or received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery to treat their recent head and neck diagnosis. Patients who receive induction chemotherapy just prior to the start of their radiation therapy or receive concurrent chemotherapy to treat their recent head and neck diagnosis are allowed
* At the discretion of the clinician, patients who are unable to comfortably speak due to symptoms of their cancer or treatment, such as surgery.
* Pre-existing diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive function (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, Seizure Disorders, etc.).
* As per medical record or self-report, history of stroke or head injury requiring medical care, confirmed structural lesion on neuroimaging, and persistent cognitive difficulties impacting work or daily life or required cognitive rehabilitation.
* Pre-existing diagnosis of a Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, substance use disorder, Bipolar Disorder or Schizotypal personality disorder. Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders include Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform disorder, Schizoaffective disorder, Delusional disorder, Brief psychotic disorder, and Attenuated Psychotic Disorder.
* Pre-existing visual or auditory impairment that would preclude ability to complete the assessments (e.g. history of significant macular degeneration or being unable to correct hearing with hearing aids)
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