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 language | English |
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Article number | 100759 |
Journal | Clinical and Translational Radiation Oncology |
Volume | 46 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 The Author(s)