Abstract: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on the oral side effects caused by radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Various treatments are examined to mit- igate these sequelae, and a protocol is proposed for dentists and dental hygienists to manage onco- logical patients. A literature search was conducted to select relevant articles addressing the effects of radiotherapy treatments on the oral cavity, with a particular focus on the development of mu- cositis, candidiasis, changes in salivary pH, trismus, fibrosis, and alterations in the oral biofilm. Pub- Med and MedLine were used as search engines, with keyword combinations including: head and neck cancer, mucositis, candida, dental care, dental hygiene, epidemiology, oral microbiome, bio- film, trismus, fibrosis, and salivary pH. A total of 226 articles were identified, spanning the period from 1998 to 2023. Articles deemed inappropriate or in languages other than English or Italian were excluded. A management protocol for oncological patients was proposed, divided into two phases: home-based and professional. Despite the advancements in intensity-modulated radiation therapy, it is impossible to completely avoid damage to healthy tissues. Preventive education and counseling in the dental chair, ongoing motivation, and education about oral hygiene are crucial to combine a good therapeutic outcome with an improved quality of life for the patient.

ORAL CARE IN HEAD NECK RADIOTHERAPY: PROPOSAL OF AN ORAL HYGIENE PROTOCOL.

Spinato G;Amato F;Di Fiore A;Favero V;Franz L;Marioni G;de Filippis C;Nicolai P
2024

Abstract

Abstract: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on the oral side effects caused by radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Various treatments are examined to mit- igate these sequelae, and a protocol is proposed for dentists and dental hygienists to manage onco- logical patients. A literature search was conducted to select relevant articles addressing the effects of radiotherapy treatments on the oral cavity, with a particular focus on the development of mu- cositis, candidiasis, changes in salivary pH, trismus, fibrosis, and alterations in the oral biofilm. Pub- Med and MedLine were used as search engines, with keyword combinations including: head and neck cancer, mucositis, candida, dental care, dental hygiene, epidemiology, oral microbiome, bio- film, trismus, fibrosis, and salivary pH. A total of 226 articles were identified, spanning the period from 1998 to 2023. Articles deemed inappropriate or in languages other than English or Italian were excluded. A management protocol for oncological patients was proposed, divided into two phases: home-based and professional. Despite the advancements in intensity-modulated radiation therapy, it is impossible to completely avoid damage to healthy tissues. Preventive education and counseling in the dental chair, ongoing motivation, and education about oral hygiene are crucial to combine a good therapeutic outcome with an improved quality of life for the patient.
2024
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3528247
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