title: Effects of radiation on the temporal bone in patients with head and neck cancer.
abstract: Radiotherapy is a key component in the treatment of many head and neck cancers, and its potential to cause long-term adverse effects has become increasingly recognized. In this review, we describe the short-term and long-term sequelae of radiation-associated changes in and injury to the temporal bone and its related structures. The pathophysiology of radiation-induced injury and its clinical entities, including sensorineural hearing loss, chronic otitis media, osteoradionecrosis, and radiation-associated malignancies, are described. We also discuss radiation dose to the head and neck as it relates to these conditions. An improved understanding of radiation's effects on the temporal bone will enable physicians and researchers to continue efforts to reduce radiotherapy-related sequelae and guide clinicians in diagnosing and treating the various otologic conditions that can arise in patients with head and neck cancer who have received radiotherapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1428-1435, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Elton M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: G Brandon
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Gidley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014481:United States
keywords: radiotherapy; sarcoma; squamous cell carcinoma; temporal bone