Liquid Biopsy for Head and Neck Cancer

Liquid biopsy is when a simple blood draw is performed in order to detect cancer cells (CTC) or mutated DNA fragments (ctDNA) free floating in the bloodstream that has been shed from the cancer's primary or secondary sites. This test has been heralded as an alternative way to make a diagnosis instead of an invasive surgical biopsy whether by needle or excision. Liquid biopsy has been developed mainly for detecting cancers of the breast, prostate, colon, ovarian, lung, and melanoma. Liqu…

6/05/2016 0

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Slow Motion Video of Gleeking

Gleeking is when an individual is able to spray spit out of the mouth causing amazement if not disgust from surrounding people. This salivary spray comes out from Wharton's duct which is an opening located under the tongue tip that drains the submandibular glands located under the jawline.

8/24/2015 0

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Blood and Spit Test that Detects Cancer of the Head and Neck

Over the years, simple blood tests have been developed to detect specific types of cancer in the human body. We have PSA for prostate cancer; BRCA for breast cancer; CEA for colon cancer... and potentially in the very near future... a blood as well as spit test for head and neck cancer! Finally! Developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins, this new blood/spit test is able to detect squamous cell carcinoma with astounding accuracy using a combination of both DNA mutations and HPV markers.  …

6/26/2015 0

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Rapid Saliva Test to Look for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

When you compare a spit test to the current way of how throat level reflux  (LPR) is determined via  barium swallow , upper endoscopy (EGD), and  24 hour ph/impedance testing , it sounds quite attractive. How does such a test work? It basically looks for a stomach protein called pepsin. Given reflux is when stomach contents moves up towards the mouth and pepsin is a protein ONLY produced in the stomach... pepsin should NOT be found in the throat/mouth.  As such, the test can state &qu…

7/16/2013 3

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Saliva Test for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

Various groups have been developing a fast, cheap, non-invasive saliva swab test to determine whether laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is present or not. LPR may cause symptoms of: Hoarseness Chronic (ongoing) cough Frequent throat clearing Constant mucus or phelgm in the throat Dry or sandpaper like sensation in the throat Pain or burning sensation in the throat Feeling of a lump in the throat (globus pharyngeus) Problems swallowing Bad/bitter taste in the mouth (especially in m…

6/12/2012 1

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Video of Endoscopic Salivary Stone Removal (Sialendoscopy)

The Doctors TV show actually produced a great (and accurate) segment on a relatively new procedure called sialendoscopy . This procedure allows a surgeon to remove a stone that may be blocking your spit gland from draining saliva into the mouth. This is analogous to a kidney stone which blocks urine from draining from the kidney into the bladder resulting in painful swelling of the kidney (causing flank pain). How does a person know if they have a salivary gland blockage due to a stone? The…

4/10/2011 0

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Sialendoscopy: Minimally Invasive Treatment for Salivary Gland Stones

There is a relatively new procedure called sialendoscopy which allows a surgeon to remove a stone that may be blocking the  spit gland  from draining saliva into the mouth. This situation is analogous to a kidney stone which blocks urine from draining from the kidney into the bladder resulting in painful swelling of the kidney (causing flank pain). How does a person know if they have a salivary gland blockage due to a stone? There is a painful swelling located right in front and/or below t…

4/06/2009 0

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