Chronic Oral Complications of Oral Cancer Therapy

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are uniquely susceptible to adverse oral health outcomes following head and neck radiation therapy (RT). Various risk factors for these oral health outcomes post-RT were identified in the OraRad study, which followed HNC patients from pre-RT to 2 y post-RT. Chronic oral complications include hyposalivation, trismus, dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, exposed bone, and osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. Results from OraRad provide a framework for oral health care providers both in preparing patients for RT and in managing sequelae of RT for best outcomes for the HNC patient population.