Pre-Radiation dental considerations and management for head and neck cancer patients

Oral Oncology
Kenneth KuftaNeeraj Panchal

Abstract

Treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) is accompanied by a high rate of morbidity, and complications can have a lifelong, profound impact on both patients and caregivers. Radiation-related injury to the hard and soft tissue of the head and neck can significantly decrease patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study is to provide patent-specific guidelines for managing the oral health and related side effects of HNC patients treated with radiation therapy. Based on reviewed articles retrieved on the PubMed database, guidelines for management of the oral health of this patient population were organized into three separate categories: cancer, patient, and dentition. The location, type, and staging of the cancer, along with the radiation used to treat the cancer significantly impact dental treatment. Several unique patient characteristics such as motivation, presence of support system, socioeconomic status, nutrition, and race have all been found to affect outcomes. Dental disease and available supportive dental management was found to significantly impact treatment and quality of life in this patient population. By comprehensively assessing unique cancer, patient, and dental-related factors, this review provides individua...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 30, 2019·Indian Journal of Cancer·Paula Bonar AlvarezAbel García-García
Dec 16, 2019·International Journal of Dental Hygiene·Tamara RinstadUlf Mattsson
Aug 2, 2020·Clinical Otolaryngology : Official Journal of ENT-UK ; Official Journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery·Pei-Hsun LiaoTsu-Jen Kuo
Oct 9, 2020·Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery·P Boñar-ÁlvarezM Perez-Sayans

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