Study of Blood and Tissue Samples From Patients With Larynx Cancer, Pharynx Cancer, or Oral Cavity Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• Characterize, morphologically and molecularly, squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, pharynx, or oral cavity in patients without high-risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, or occupation.

Secondary

• Study the impact parameters of morphology, molecular characteristics, and genomics on disease-free survival and overall survival of these patients.
• Study the impact parameters of morphological, molecular, and genomic control in the tumor.
• Assess, in advanced tumors, the risk of heterogeneity of morphological, molecular, and genomic control in the tumor.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Blood, tumor tissue, and healthy tissue samples are collected before treatment begins.

Patients are followed up every 3 months for 2 years (additional biopsies may be collected).

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, pharynx, or oral cavity
• No risk factors of alcohol consumption, smoking, or occupational hazards such as asbestos, hydrocarbons, paints, nickel, stone dust, or wood dust.

• Must be a life-time non-smoker, not a former smoker
• Measurable disease by RECIST criteria

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• WHO performance status 0-1
• No other serious concomitant medical conditions precluding general anesthesia
• No psychological, familial, social, or geographical reasons that would preclude follow up

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified