title: Oral adverse effects of head and neck radiotherapy: literature review and suggestion of a clinical oral care guideline for irradiated patients.
abstract: Radiotherapy, alone or associated with surgery or chemotherapy, produces a significant increase in cure rates for many malignancies of the head and neck region. However, high doses of radiation in large areas, including the oral mucosa, may result in several undesired reactions that manifest during or after the completion of therapy. The multidisciplinary management is the best alternative to minimize or even prevent such reactions, and the dentist has a fundamental role in this context. This paper reviews the literature related to the main oral sequelae from head and neck radiotherapy and establishes clinical oral management protocol for these irradiated patients.
authors: Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors: Elen de Souza
authors: Ede S
authors: Tolentino
authors: Bruna Stuchi
authors: BS
authors: Centurion
authors: Lúcia Helena Caetano
authors: LH
authors: Ferreira
authors: Andréia Pereira de
authors: AP
authors: Souza
authors: José Humberto
authors: JH
authors: Damante
authors: Izabel Regina Fischer
authors: IR
authors: Rubira-Bullen
mesh_terms: D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009909:Oral Health / Q000592:standards*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000528:radiation effects; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology