Personalizing dental screening and prevention protocols in dentulous patients with oropharyngeal cancer undergoing radiotherapy: A retrospective cohort study

Denzel Chin*, Hetty Mast, Gerda M. Verduijn, Michelle Möring, Steven F. Petit, Frederik R. Rozema, Eppo B. Wolvius, Brend P. Jonker, Wilma D. Heemsbergen

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Objectives:

Patients with head and neck cancer are routinely screened for dental foci prior to radiotherapy (RT) to prevent post- RT tooth extractions associated with an increased risk of osteoradionecrosis. We evaluated the risk factors for post-RT tooth extraction to personalise dental screening and prevention protocols prior to RT. 

Materials and methods: 

This retrospective cohort study included dentulous patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer who had undergone radiation therapy at doses 60–70 Gy and achieved a disease-free survival of ≥ 1 year (N = 174). Risk factors were assessed using Cox regression models. 

Results: 

The cumulative incidence of post-RT tooth extraction was 30.7 % at 5 years. Main indications for extraction (n = 62) were radiation caries (n = 20) and periodontal disease (n = 27). Risk factors associated (p < 0.05) with radiation caries-related extractions included active smoking, alcohol abuse, poor oral hygiene, parotid gland irradiation, and mandibular irradiation. A high-dose volume in the mandible was associated with periodontal disease events. 

Conclusion: 

Post-RT extractions due to radiation caries were influenced by lifestyle factors and RT dose in the mandible and parotid glands. Periodontal disease-related extractions were primarily associated with the mandibular dose. During dental screening these post-RT risk factors should be taken into account to prevent osteoradionecrosis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100759
JournalClinical and Translational Radiation Oncology
Volume46
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2024

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© 2024 The Author(s)

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