IADR Abstract Archives
Outpatient Pre-Radiation Dental Considerations for Head and Neck Cancer
Objectives: In 2016, there were approximately 48,330 new cases of head and neck cancer (HNC) in the United States resulting in an estimated 9,570 deaths. Radiation therapy is accompanied by a high rate of morbidity, and complications can have a lifelong, profound impact on both patients and caregivers. Few protocols have been developed for the dental treatment and management of HNC patients, but the literature lacks evidence-based guidelines for performing a comprehensive pre-radiation dental evaluation for this vulnerable patient population. The purpose of this study is to provide patient-specific guidelines for managing the oral health and related side effects of HNC patients prior to radiation therapy.
Methods: The authors reviewed the literature related to the comprehensive care of a HNC patient undergoing radiation therapy. Aspects shown to affect patient outcomes were then separated into three major categories (patient factors, cancer factors, and dental factors) and current practices used to effectively manage these patients were reviewed.
Results: Several unique patient characteristics should be taken into account when performing a dental evaluation to provide a treatment plan tailored to suit the individual needs of each patient. The type of cancer, location, and staging must all be accounted for when developing a comprehensive, individualized dental treatment plan for a patient. Additionally, the radiation quantity and techniques will have specific implications in comorbidity reduction for HNC patients. While it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate pre-existing dental disease in the context of both patient and cancer-related factors, defining an absolute prognosis for individual teeth is a difficult task.
Conclusions: Patient, cancer, and dental factors have been shown to affect treatment outcomes in HNC patients. By comprehensively assessing these unique characteristics of head and neck cancer patients, this review provides a systematic approach to providing individualized patient care.
Methods: The authors reviewed the literature related to the comprehensive care of a HNC patient undergoing radiation therapy. Aspects shown to affect patient outcomes were then separated into three major categories (patient factors, cancer factors, and dental factors) and current practices used to effectively manage these patients were reviewed.
Results: Several unique patient characteristics should be taken into account when performing a dental evaluation to provide a treatment plan tailored to suit the individual needs of each patient. The type of cancer, location, and staging must all be accounted for when developing a comprehensive, individualized dental treatment plan for a patient. Additionally, the radiation quantity and techniques will have specific implications in comorbidity reduction for HNC patients. While it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate pre-existing dental disease in the context of both patient and cancer-related factors, defining an absolute prognosis for individual teeth is a difficult task.
Conclusions: Patient, cancer, and dental factors have been shown to affect treatment outcomes in HNC patients. By comprehensively assessing these unique characteristics of head and neck cancer patients, this review provides a systematic approach to providing individualized patient care.