[Orodental status before radiation therapy of the head and neck area: A prospective analysis on 48 patients].

PURPOSE: The treatment by irradiation of tumours of the upper head and neck tract cause many complications on the oral sphere, such as mucositis, dysphagia, asialia and tooth decay. Associated manifestations are frequent and their severity has been poorly studied. However, the patient's quality of life is directly correlated with their oral health.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We carried out an evaluation of the oral health of 48 patients with an upper head and neck tract cancer treated by irradiation at the Paul-Strauss Centre in Strasbourg. The inclusion criteria of this study concerned the localization of the tumour in the upper head and neck tract and a treatment by irradiation associated or not to chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The patients of the study were concerned by alcohol and smoking intoxication, on average, 22.2 pack-year and 2.2 glasses of alcohol per day. They received an irradiation of 60.9Gy on average. Their oral health was characterized by a DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) index of 16.1, with, in mean, eight missing teeth and eight filling teeth and, by the presence of dental plaque in 70% of cases. Along the treatment by irradiation, the oral complications evaluation showed that on average, patients developed mucositis 18 days after the beginning of radiotherapy, xerostomia after 20 days, and dysphagia after 17 days. At the end of the treatment, we noted an oral hygiene improvement, with teeth brushing more frequent (two to three per day), mouthwash use, and daily fluoride prophylaxis.

CONCLUSION

This study provides insights of the dental status of patients irradiated in the oral cavity. This series lays the groundwork for the study of prosthesis requirement and dosimetry calculation.