New approach for the treatment of osteoradionecrosis with pentoxifylline and tocopherol

Biomater Res. 2014 Sep 29:18:13. doi: 10.1186/2055-7124-18-13. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw is a significant complication of radiotherapy for oral cavity cancer. In addition to antibiotic medication, treatment options such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, surgical approaches, and combined therapy with pentoxifylline and tocopherol have been recently introduced. In this review article, we will discuss the definition and classifications of osteoradionecrosis, its etiology and pathophysiology, previous treatment options, oral and maxillofacial complications of radiotherapy, basic information on pentoxifylline and tocopherol, recent reports of pentoxifylline and tocopherol combined therapy, and, finally, ORN-induced animal models and future approaches.

Keywords: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN); Pentoxifylline; Radiotherapy; Tocopherol.

Publication types

  • Review