Affiliation:
1. Dental Oncology Service, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo ICESP‐FMUSP São Paulo Brazil
2. Oral Diagnosis Department, Piracicaba Dental School University of Campinas (UNICAMP) Piracicaba São Paulo Brazil
3. São Leopoldo Mandic Institute and Research Center, Laboratory of Neuroimmune Interface of Pain Research Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
Abstract
AbstractAimsRadiation caries (RC) is a highly prevalent and chronic complication of head and neck radiotherapy (HNRT) and presents a challenge for clinicians and patients. The present study aimed to assess the impact of RC on the morbidity and mortality outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.Methods and ResultsPatients were divided into three groups: (1) RC (n = 20), (2) control (n = 20), and (3) edentulous (n = 20). Information regarding the number of appointments, dental procedures, osteoradionecrosis (ORN), prescriptions, and hospital admissions were collected. Mortality outcomes were assessed through disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. RC patients required more dental appointments (p < .001), restorations (p < .001), extractions (p = .001), and antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions (p < .001). Kaplan–Meier subgroup analyses showed a significantly increased risk of ORN in RC compared to edentulous patients (p = .015). RC patients presented lower DFS rates (43.2 months) than the control and edentulous groups (55.4 and 56.1 months, respectively).ConclusionsRC impacts morbidity outcomes among cancer survivors due to increased demand for medication prescriptions, multiple specialized dental appointments, invasive surgical treatments, increased risk of ORN, and increased need for hospital admissions.
Funder
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico