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Risk factors for severe radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with oral cancer.

Authors :
Soutome S
Yanamoto S
Nishii M
Kojima Y
Hasegawa T
Funahara M
Akashi M
Saito T
Umeda M
Source :
Journal of dental sciences [J Dent Sci] 2021 Oct; Vol. 16 (4), pp. 1241-1246. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 09.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Background/purpose: Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer often causes severe oral mucositis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to further examine the risk factors for developing severe oral mucositis in patients with oral cancer undergoing radiotherapy as a compliment to a previous study performed by our group.<br />Materials and Methods: A total of 181 patients with oral cancer undergoing radiotherapy were enrolled in the study. The association between a number of potential risk factors and grade 3 oral mucositis were analyzed using the cox proportional hazard model and a logistic regression analysis.<br />Results: Grade 3 oral mucositis occurred in 56 patients. The cox proportional hazard model analysis revealed that those with lower hemoglobin levels, concurrent cisplatin and cetuximab administration, and a larger number of teeth showed a significantly higher incidence of severe oral mucositis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients who had lower hemoglobin levels, received concurrent cisplatin or cetuximab treatment, and were not administered pilocarpine showed a significantly higher incidence of severe oral mucositis. The presence of teeth may stimulate the oral mucosa and become a risk factor for mucositis, and the administration of pilocarpine might reduce the risk.<br />Conclusion: This study describes the risk factors of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis in oral cancer patients and shows the possibility of risk reduction by pilocarpine. This information could help patients avoid painful mucositis.<br /> (© 2021 Association for Dental Sciences of the Republic of China. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2213-8862
Volume :
16
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of dental sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34484592
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2021.01.009