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Rare head and neck cancer linked to HPV, study finds

Rare head and neck cancer linked to HPV, study finds (10/7/2009)

An increase in cases of a rare type of head and neck cancer appears to be linked to HPV, or human papillomavirus, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Meet the expert: Carol Bradford, M.D.
Learn more: U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Reconstruction after tonsil cancer surgery makes speaking, eating possible

Reconstruction after tonsil cancer surgery makes speaking, eating possible (9/22/2009)

A new technique for reconstructing the palate after surgery for tonsil cancer maintained patients’ ability to speak clearly and eat most foods, a new study shows.
 

Meet the expert: Douglas Chepeha, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Learn more: U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Protect your vocal health every day, U-M expert urges

Protect your vocal health every day, U-M expert urges (4/13/2009)

Every year on April 16, otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and other voice health professionals worldwide join together to recognize World Voice Day. World Voice Day encourages men and women, young and old, to assess their vocal health and take action to improve or maintain good voice habits. The AmericanAcademy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) has sponsored the U.S. observance of World Voice Day since its inception in 2002.

Meet the expert: Norman D. Hogikyan
Learn more: University of Michigan Vocal Health Center

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Health choices predict cancer survival, U-M study finds

Health choices predict cancer survival, U-M study finds (4/1/2009)

Head and neck cancer patients who smoked, drank, didn’t exercise or didn’t eat enough fruit when they were diagnosed had worse survival outcomes than those with better health habits, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Meet the expert: Sonia Duffy, Ph.D., R.N.
Learn more: U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Bradford honored with National Physician of the Year Award

Bradford honored with National Physician of the Year Award (3/26/2009)

Carol R. Bradford, M.D., FACS, professor and chair of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, was recently awarded the Castle Connolly National Physician of the Year Award, which recognizes clinical excellence in medicine. Bradford was one of three recipients in the nation to receive the prestigious award.

Meet the expert: Carol R. Bradford

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Medical students learn residency posts during largest Match Day in history

Medical students learn residency posts during largest Match Day in history (3/19/2009)

Any graduating medical student across the country can find out their residency match on their own today, but U-M students have the tradition of finding out as a group. Conducted by the National Resident Matching Program,  the match is the system for aligning students with residency programs at U.S. teaching hospitals. With 29,890 participants, this is the largest Match Day in history.

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Rare skin tumor behaves differently than melanoma

Rare skin tumor behaves differently than melanoma (2/2/2009)

U-M Health System researchers have learned that a type of skin tumor with many similarities to melanoma actually behaves quite differently. The finding could have implications on diagnosis and treatment of these skin tumors.

Meet the expert: Mathew Ludgate, M.B.Ch.B.
Learn more: Skin cancer care at U-M

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Carol Bradford, M.D., named new chair of Dept. of Otolaryngology

Carol Bradford, M.D., named new chair of Dept. of Otolaryngology (1/8/2009)

The University of Michigan Medical School has appointed Carol R. Bradford, M.D., FACS, as the new chair of the Department of Otolaryngology beginning Jan. 1, pending Regental approval. Bradford specializes in head and neck cancers, including the removal of skin cancer and reconstructive surgery.

Meet the expert: Carol R. Bradford, M.D.
Learn more: Department of Otolaryngology

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Unique U-M surgery creates fully usable tongue following tongue cancer

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Unique U-M surgery creates fully usable tongue following tongue cancer (12/15/2008)

After a diagnosis of tongue cancer Lisa, a new mother, was faced with the loss of part of her tongue to save her life. She knew that she could lose her ability to talk and that her young son might never hear her voice again. But surgeons at the University of Michigan built her a new tongue.

Meet the expert: Douglas Chepeha, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Learn more: U-M Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Clinic

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Can vitamins and minerals prevent hearing loss?

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Can vitamins and minerals prevent hearing loss? (11/10/2008)

About 10 million people in the United States alone—from troops returning from war to students with music blasting through headphones—are suffering from impairing noise-induced hearing loss. The rising trend is something that researchers and physicians at the University of Michigan Kresge Hearing Research Institute are hoping to reverse, with a cocktail of vitamins and the mineral magnesium that has shown promise as a possible way to prevent hearing loss caused by loud noises.

Meet the expert: Josef M. Miller, Ph.D.
Learn more: What is noise-induced hearing loss?

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Inherited form of hearing loss stems from gene mutation

Inherited form of hearing loss stems from gene mutation (7/31/2008)

University of Michigan and other researchers have pinpointed a gene mutation that accounts for a previously unidentified form of hearing loss. They found the same mutation in two unrelated families, suggesting the mutation may be ancient and not particularly rare. The discovery underscores the need for families to be alert for inherited problems and seek help early.

Meet the expert: Marci Lesperance, M.D.
Learn more: Department of Otolaryngology

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Quality of life predicts cancer survival, U-M study finds

Quality of life predicts cancer survival, U-M study finds (5/30/2008)

Head and neck cancer patients who reported lower physical quality of life were more likely to die from their disease, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The findings could mean that identifying patients with poor quality of life could also identify patients with particularly aggressive tumors.

Meet the expert: Sonia A. Duffy, Ph.D., R.N.
Learn more: Head and neck cancer

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HPV linked to better survival in tonsil, tongue cancer, U-M study finds

HPV linked to better survival in tonsil, tongue cancer, U-M study finds (5/12/2008)

Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a series of markers that indicate which patients are more likely to survive cancers of the base of the tongue and tonsils. Most notably, they found that cancers linked to HPV, or human papillomavirus, are the most responsive to current chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Meet the expert: Francis Worden, M.D.
Learn more: U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Spring cleaning … for your nose

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Spring cleaning … for your nose (4/7/2008)

Relief for a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes or post-nasal drip is just a rinse away, say experts at the University of Michigan Health System. Nasal irrigation - rinsing the nose and nasal passages with a solution, typically salt water - is a cheap and easy way for the millions of people who suffer with spring allergies and nasal congestion to alleviate symptoms.

Meet the expert: Melissa Pynnonen, M.D.
Learn more: Saline nasal sprays and irrigation

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Overactive touch-sensing nerve cells explain common “ringing in the ears”

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Overactive touch-sensing nerve cells explain common “ringing in the ears” (1/9/2008)

Preliminary U-M results in animals suggest that acupuncture and trigger point therapy may be effective treatments for some people plagued by tinnitus.

Learn more: U-M Kresge Hearing Research Institute

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Sinus problems are treated well with safe, inexpensive treatment, UMHS study finds

Sinus problems are treated well with safe, inexpensive treatment, UMHS study finds (11/19/2007)

An inexpensive, safe and easy treatment is an effective method for treating chronic nasal and sinus symptoms - more effective, in fact, than commonly used saline sprays, according to a new study from University of Michigan Health System researchers.

Meet the expert: Melissa A. Pynnonen, M.D.
Learn more: U-M Department of Otolaryngology

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With $22 million gift from retail pioneer, U-M Health System launches A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute

With $22 million gift from retail pioneer, U-M Health System launches A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute (9/26/2007)

A new and extraordinary $22 million gift to UMHS from retail pioneer A. Alfred Taubman is making possible a new and extraordinary institute - one with a mission of supporting fundamental research to advance the understanding of the causes, treatment and prevention of human diseases.

Learn more: A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute

A parent's guide to understanding tonsils and strep

A parent's guide to understanding tonsils and strep (8/6/2007)

When is a tonsillectomy the right choice for your child? And, why are some children more prone to chronic throat infections? To help answer those questions, a U-M Health System expert offers parents a seven-step guide to better understand tonsils, tonsillitis, strep and tonsillectomies before the start of the school year.

Meet the expert: Susan Garetz, M.D.
Learn more: Department of Otolaryngology

Music to deaf ears: Auditory nerve implant can deliver wide range of sounds, early tests show

Music to deaf ears: Auditory nerve implant can deliver wide range of sounds, early tests show (6/7/2007)

A tiny electrode array placed directly in the auditory nerve could overcome limitations of todays widely used cochlear implants, initial U-M research in animals suggests. Such a device would allow deaf people to hear low-pitched sounds typical in speech, converse in a noisy room and enjoy a symphony.

Learn more: University of Michigan Kresge Hearing Research Institute

Nutrients might prevent hearing loss in war zones, concert halls & workplaces, new animal study suggests

Nutrients might prevent hearing loss in war zones, concert halls & workplaces, new animal study suggests (3/28/2007)

In a new study in animals, U-M researchers report that a combination of high doses of vitamins A, C, and E and magnesium, taken one hour before noise exposure and continued as a once-daily treatment for five days, was very effective at preventing permanent noise-induced hearing loss. The nutrient combination will be tested in humans soon.

Meet the expert: Josef M. Miller, Ph.D.
Learn more: Department of Otolaryngology

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Stem cell marker identified in head and neck cancer

Stem cell marker identified in head and neck cancer (1/16/2007)

Researchers have found a marker on head and neck tumor cells that indicates which cells are capable of fueling the cancer's growth. The finding is the first evidence of cancer stem cells in head and neck tumors

Learn more: University of Michigan Medical School

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7 things to know about preventing, treating winter laryngitis

7 things to know about preventing, treating winter laryngitis (1/2/2007)

Viral laryngitis is contagious and passes the same way as common colds and flu bugs. To avoid getting laryngitis, a U-M expert suggests seven ways to prevent and treat this inflammation of the voice box, and offers suggestions for caring for your voice even when it's healthy.

Meet the expert: Norman D. Hogikyan, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Learn more: Vocal Health Center

All I want for Christmas is … a toy with a mute button

All I want for Christmas is … a toy with a mute button (12/4/2006)

From traditional noisemakers like toy guns and musical instruments to talking dolls and animated stuffed animals, many toys today are loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage in children. To protect kids hearing, a U-M audiologist offers parents some tips for picking toys that are safe for their childrens ears this holiday season.

Learn more: U-M Health System’s Department of Otolaryngology

U-M remains one of best hospitals in the country

U-M remains one of best hospitals in the country (7/7/2006)

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the U-M Hospitals and Health Centers among the best in the nation. U-M also achieved a ranking in each of the 16 specialties listed by the magazine