Establishment of a Head and Neck Cancer Tissue/Specimen Bank
Establishment of a Head and Neck Cancer Tissue/Specimen Bank
RATIONALE: Collecting and storing samples of tissue, blood, and saliva from patients with cancer to study in the laboratory may help the study of cancer in the future.
PURPOSE: This laboratory study is collecting and storing tissue samples from patients with head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: This is a prospective, multicenter study.
Patients enrolled on active Radiation Therapy Oncology Group clinical trials undergo biopsy or surgical resection of head and neck tumors or premalignant lesions at participating institutions. Tissue and other specimens collected at the time of biopsy or surgery are submitted to the Head and Neck Cancer Tissue/Specimen Bank which acts as a central repository for processing, storing, and preserving patient specimens for translational research. Tissue samples include paraffin-embedded blocks or fresh or frozen samples of normal squamous mucosa, tumors, or premalignant lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Other specimens for tissue banking include serum, plasma, and lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood, as well as samples of patient saliva. Cells obtained from tissue bank specimens may also be used to establish cell lines for future research.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: An unlimited number of specimens will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Confirmed or suspected head and neck cancer
Potentially eligible for or participating in an active Radiation Therapy Oncology Group treatment clinical trial
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Altanta, Georgia 30322, United States
Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
Boise, Idaho 83712, United States
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515-1500, United States
Louisville, Kentucky 40292, United States
Keene, New Hampshire 03431, United States
Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756-0002, United States
Charlotte, North Carolina 28233-3549, United States
Portland, Oregon 97213-2967, United States
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303, United States
Murray, Utah 84157, United States
Madison, Wisconsin 53792-6164, United States