Radiotherapy quadrant doses in oropharyngeal cancer treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy

Abstract

Dental assessment prior to head and neck radiotherapy (RT) is a mandatory requirement. Treatment recommendations are based on perceived doses to the jaw; however, these are poorly understood. In the pre-RT dental assessment phase, oropharyngeal cancer patients present with more teeth than other head and neck cancer patients. Hence, prior knowledge of likely RT doses specific to the dentition would allow the dental oncologist to provide a patient centred dental treatment plan. Identifying dental regions at risk of osteoradionecrosis from post-radiotherapy events provides invaluable information.