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Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in Head & Neck Cancer Patients, Pilot Study
NCT07264036 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Some head and neck cancer survivors develop velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD), a problem with closure between the soft palate and throat that can cause nasal-sounding speech, food or liquid leaking into the nose, difficulty swallowing, and reduced quality of life. This study aims to better understand VPD in this population and to evaluate whether pharyngeal wall augmentation (plumping up the back wall of the throat) can improve speech and swallowing. Participants will undergo a multidisciplinary assessment including physical examination, flexible nasolaryngoscopy, speech recording and acoustic analysis, nasometry, clinical swallowing evaluation, and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Aim 1: Determine the prevalence, severity, and functional impact of VPD in head and neck cancer survivors. Aim 2: Assess the feasibility and usefulness of advanced diagnostic tools for VPD. The investigators hypothesize that high nasalance scores (\>1 SD above normal) will accurately predict VPD with at least 75% positive predictive value and will correlate with worse communication-related quality of life (CPIB). The investigators also hypothesize that participants with VPD will have more pharyngeal residue or nasal regurgitation on FEES, and that these findings will be associated with lower swallowing-related quality of life (SWAL-QOL). Aim 3: Evaluate the effectiveness of pharyngeal wall augmentation injections for improving speech intelligibility and swallowing function. The investigators expect that this treatment will lead to measurable changes in both objective assessments and patient-reported outcomes. The results will help improve diagnosis and management of VPD in head and neck cancer survivors.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- PROCEDURE Pharyngeal Wall Augmentation Injection
Study Locations (1)
Virginia
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 20 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-01-01 |
| Est. Completion | 2027-07-01 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT07264036
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT07264036 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 20 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Vanessa Torrecillas, which has 1 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 5 conditions, with Head and Neck Cancer appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Pharyngeal Wall Augmentation Injection is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT07264036 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Virginia. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT07264036 about?
NCT07264036 is a clinical study titled "Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in Head & Neck Cancer Patients, Pilot Study". Some head and neck cancer survivors develop velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD), a problem with closure between the soft palate and throat that can cause nasal-sounding speech, food or liquid leaking into the nose, difficulty swallowing, and reduced quality of life. This study aims to better understand...
What is the current status of trial NCT07264036?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 20 participants. The study started on 2026-01-01. Estimated completion is 2027-07-01.
What conditions does trial NCT07264036 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Head and Neck Cancer, Survivorship, Dysphagia, Speech Disorder, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT07264036?
The interventions under investigation include: Pharyngeal Wall Augmentation Injection (PROCEDURE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT07264036?
This trial is sponsored by Vanessa Torrecillas, which has 1 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT07264036 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Virginia. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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