A Patient with a History of Tonsillar Cancer Presents for Evaluation of Exposed Alveolar Bone in the Mouth

Takako I Tanaka; Rabie Shanti

doi:10.1016/j.cden.2023.06.003

A Patient with a History of Tonsillar Cancer Presents for Evaluation of Exposed Alveolar Bone in the Mouth

Dent Clin North Am. 2023 Oct;67(4):675-677. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2023.06.003. Epub 2023 Jul 21.

Authors

Takako I Tanaka¹, Rabie Shanti²

Affiliations

¹ University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Electronic address: takakot@upenn.edu.
² University of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

PMID: 37714622
DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2023.06.003

Abstract

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a rare but serious late complication of head and neck radiation therapy. The mandible, proximity of the primary tumor to the jawbones, radiation dose, poor oral hygiene, and smoking history are risk factors of ORN. ORN manifests as a chronic infection with exposed jawbone, which typically occurs in the first 3 years after radiotherapy; however, the risk for ORN development occurring in the patients who have undergone head and neck radiation therapy may be indefinite. Surgery has an important role in the management of cases of ORN, ranging from sequestrectomy, debridement, and extensive extirpative procedures with reconstructive surgery.

Keywords: Head and neck cancer; Hyperbaric oxygen; Oral cancer; Osteoradionecrosis; Radiotherapy; Smoking.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Face
Humans
Mouth
Osteoradionecrosis* / etiology
Plastic Surgery Procedures*
Tonsillar Neoplasms*