Dental Management of the Human Papilloma Virus-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer Patient

Jillian Rigert; Andres Pinto; Mel Mupparapu

doi:10.1016/j.cden.2023.02.017

Dental Management of the Human Papilloma Virus-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer Patient

Dent Clin North Am. 2023 Jul;67(3):453-456. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2023.02.017. Epub 2023 Mar 25.

Authors

Jillian Rigert¹, Andres Pinto², Mel Mupparapu³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: JMRigert@MDAnderson.org.
² Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Diagnostic Science, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44106-734, USA.
³ Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6030, USA.

PMID: 37244713
DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2023.02.017

Abstract

Human papilloma virus (HPV)-attributable head and neck cancers (HNCs) are on the rise, impacting younger patients compared with HPV (-) HNC. Fortunately, HPV (+) HNCs are associated with favorable prognoses and tend to be radiosensitive. However, radiation therapy for the treatment of HNC is associated with acute and chronic normal tissue toxicity to salivary glands, muscles, bone, and the oral cavity and presents a treatment challenge. Thus, the prevention of normal tissue injury and optimization of oral health are key. Dental teams are important members of the multidisciplinary cancer team.

Keywords: Head and neck cancer; Osteoradionecrosis; Radiation therapy.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Review

MeSH terms

Dental Care*
Head and Neck Neoplasms*
Human Papillomavirus Viruses
Humans
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms* / virology
Osteoradionecrosis
Papillomavirus Infections*

Grants and funding

R01 DE028290/DE/NIDCR NIH HHS/United States