Oral Complications at Six Months after Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Oral Complications at Six Months after Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Oral Dis. 2017 Jul 04;:

Authors: Lalla RV, Treister N, Sollecito T, Schmidt B, Patton LL, Mohammadi K, Hodges JS, Brennan MT, OraRad Study Group

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Examine oral complications 6 months after modern radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).
METHODS: Prospective multi-center cohort study of HNC patients receiving Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or more advanced RT. Stimulated whole salivary flow, maximal mouth opening, oral mucositis, oral pain, oral health-related quality of life (OH-QOL), and oral hygiene practices, were measured in 372 subjects pre-RT and 216 at 6 months from start of RT.
RESULTS: Mean stimulated whole salivary flow declined from 1.09 ml/min to 0.47 ml/min at 6 months (p < 0.0001). Mean maximal mouth opening reduced from 45.58 mm to 42.53 mm at 6 months (p < 0.0001). 8.1% of subjects had some oral mucositis at 6 months, including 3.8% with oral ulceration. Mean overall pain score was unchanged. OH-QOL was reduced at 6 months, with changes related to dry mouth, sticky saliva, swallowing solid foods, and sense of taste (p ≤ 0.0001). At 6 months, there was greater frequency of using dental floss and greater proportion using supplemental fluoride (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in RT techniques, HNC patients experience oral complications 6 months after RT, with resulting negative impacts on oral function and quality of life. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 28675770 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from # All Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2tI0Bxo
via IFTTT