title: Radiotherapy for head and neck neoplasms.
abstract: The use of radiotherapy has proven to be an effective technique in the control and cure of head and neck neoplastic disease. Unfortunately, radiotherapy also has a significant negative impact on the oral health of patients and the dental care they require. For dental professionals to be valuable members of the oncology treatment team, they must have a sound understanding of the dental needs and proper treatment of these patients. As background information, a brief overview of ionizing radiation and its effect on mammalian tissue is presented. In addition, the oral complications of ionizing radiation are reviewed, and prevention and treatment protocols discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Whitmyer
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Terezhalmy
mesh_terms: D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004249:DNA Damage; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology