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The article focuses on the diagnosis of locally recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LRC) in Nordic Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) centers and the feasibility of using the Odense-Birmingham definition for uniform diagnosis. Topics discussed include the variation in clinical practice for classifying LRC versus second primary carcinoma (SPC) and the impact of introducing the Odense-Birmingham definition on diagnostic decisions among HNC specialists.

In the Nordic countries, as in the rest of the world, particle therapy as a radiotherapy modality, is evolving, albeit the hard evidence for the clinical benefit still is scarce. However, a common goal for the Nordic countries is to include a minimum of 80% of the patients treated with particle therapy into clinical trials. In this paper, we summarize the current status of clinical trials involving particle therapy in the Nordic countries, with an overview of both active and coming trials. So far, one is closed for inclusion and data are being analyzed, seven trials are actively recruiting patients and several more trials are underway. No common Nordic trial has yet been designed, nor is in the planning phase, and the authors will discuss the obstacles as well as the opportunities a common Nordic platform may represent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]