Collecting tissue samples from head and neck cancer patients and healthy participants

Head and Neck Tumor Tissue Repository and Clinical Database

Observational Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NCT00898638

This study is collecting tissue, saliva, and blood samples from people with head and neck cancer and healthy individuals to help researchers learn more about the disease and improve treatment in the future.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment8000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVanderbilt University Medical Center Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Nashville, Tennessee and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT00898638 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research collects and stores tissue, saliva, and blood samples from patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer as well as healthy participants. The objective is to maintain a clinical database related to diagnosis and treatment outcomes while developing a repository of biospecimens for future cancer studies. Patients undergoing surgery or bronchoscopy will provide tumor samples, and additional samples will be collected periodically. Healthy participants will contribute samples at baseline only, and comprehensive medical histories will also be gathered.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer or those being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as well as healthy participants.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to head and neck cancer or those not meeting the eligibility criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of head and neck cancer and improve future diagnostic and treatment strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have successfully utilized similar biospecimen collection methods to advance cancer research, indicating a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Meets 1 of the following criteria:

  * Diagnosis of head and neck cancer
  * Being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the cancer
  * Healthy participant

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* Not specified

Where this trial is running

Nashville, Tennessee and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Head and Neck Cancerstage I squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynxstage II squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynxstage III squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynxstage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynxrecurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynxstage I squamous cell carcinoma of the larynxstage I verrucous carcinoma of the larynx
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.