Benefits of an intraoral stent in decreasing the irradiation dose to oral healthy tissue: dosimetric and clinical features

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2014 Nov;118(5):573-8. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2014.08.008. Epub 2014 Aug 17.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether an intraoral stent may decrease radiation dose to health tissues during intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and to evaluate the effect on mucositis.

Study design: A total of 33 patients with tongue or floor of the mouth cancer were retrospectively evaluated and divided into 2 groups: group 1 (with stent, n = 19) and group 2 (without stent, n = 14). Data were collected on dosimetric and mucositis outcomes.

Results: The mean dose to the maxilla was significantly lower in group 1 (20.9 Gy) than in group 2 (35.8 Gy) (P = .05). The mean dose to the ipsilateral parotid was 35.0 Gy in group 1 vs 41.8 Gy in group 2 (P = .05). No difference was seen in the severity of mucositis between groups (P = .82). However, grade III mucositis was present in group 1 at 4 weeks after IMRT, 1 week after its occurrence in group 2.

Conclusions: A stent was effective in decreasing doses to healthy structures and delaying the emergence of mucositis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maxilla / radiation effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mouth Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Mucositis / etiology*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Parotid Gland / radiation effects
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiation Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Radiation Protection / instrumentation*
  • Radiometry
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stents*
  • Tongue Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tongue Neoplasms / radiotherapy