Abstract

SANTOS, Michelle Góes et al. Risk factors in head and neck radioterapy. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.58, n.2, pp. 191-196. ISSN 1981-8637.

OBJETIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the dental and malignant risk factors associated with head and neck radiotherapy complications in patients treated at the Radiotherapy Center in Aracaju, Sergipe. METHOD: A clinical assessment was done of 30 patients who were receiving head and neck radiotherapy at the Radiotherapy Center. This assessment was done using the following clinical criteria as parameters: periodontal disease, extensive caries, non-functional teeth, poor oral hygiene, radiation doses and treatment combinations. Each criterion was assessed to define the risk factor level (high, intermediate, low). RESULTS: Most (25) of the dental risk factors were high, none were intermediate and 5 was low. As for the malignant risk factors, 27 had high, none had intermediate and 3 had low risk factors. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, due to the great number of patients with high dental and malignant risk factors, these patients are very susceptible to complications of radiotherapy.

Keywords : risk factors; head and neck neoplasm; radiotherapy.