Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect whether patients with a type of locally advanced (non-metastatic) head and neck cancer have residual tumours after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

An MRI technique could help doctors predict survival and develop improved treatments by identifying areas of fluctuating oxygen levels in head and neck tumours.

The immunotherapy nivolumab is kinder than chemotherapy for people with advanced head and neck cancer – easing many of the negative effects of the disease on patients’ quality of life.