1. Oral complications at 6 months after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
- Author
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Lalla, RV, Treister, N, Sollecito, T, Schmidt, B, Patton, LL, Mohammadi, K, Hodges, JS, and Brennan, MT
- Subjects
HEAD tumors ,LONGITUDINAL method ,NECK tumors ,QUALITY of life ,RADIOTHERAPY ,SALIVA ,SURGICAL complications ,TOOTH care & hygiene ,PAIN measurement - Abstract
Objective To examine oral complications 6 months after modern radiation therapy ( RT) for head and neck cancer ( HNC). Methods Prospective multicenter cohort study of patients with HNC receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy 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 subjects at 6 months from the start of RT. Results Mean stimulated whole salivary flow declined from 1.09 to 0.47 ml/min at 6 months ( p < .0001). Mean maximal mouth opening reduced from 45.58 to 42.53 mm at 6 months ( p < .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 ≤ .0001). At 6 months, there was greater frequency of using dental floss and greater proportion using supplemental fluoride ( p < .0001). Conclusions Despite advances in RT techniques, patients with HNC experience oral complications 6 months after RT, with resulting negative impacts on oral function and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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