Abstract
Introduction
Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible (ORNM) is a well-known complication related to radiotherapy that can affect patients undergoing radiotherapy to treat oral cavity cancer associated with an unfavorable dental condition.
Objective
This study aimed to assess and determine the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with osteoradionecrosis on patients with cancer of oral cavity and oropharynx undergoing radiotherapy treated at the Department of Dentistry of the Barretos Cancer Hospital between 2007- 2017.
Materials and method
This is a case-control study with retrospective data collection from medical records.
Result
The data were collected from 83 medical records, 31 corresponding to the case group and 52 corresponding to the control group. The patients in the case and control groups were aged in average (standard deviation) 65.44 (7.49) and 65.02 (10.08) years, respectively. Both groups had a predominance of male individuals. The mean (standard deviation) interval between the last radiotherapy session and the date of osteoradionecrosis diagnosis was 26.42 (27.51) months. The presence of periodontal disease at diagnosis [OR = 6,253; (95% CI 1.25-31.12; p = 0.025)] and tooth extraction [OR = 6.148; (95% CI) 1.14-26.23; p = 0.014] after radiotherapy resulted in greater chances of developing osteoradionecrosis.
Conclusion
Based on our results, extraction after radiotherapy and the presence of periodontitis in the diagnosis of patients with cancer of oral cavity and oropharynx are the main risk factors for the development of osteoradionecrosis.
Descriptors:
Osteoradionecrosis; head and neck neoplasia; radiotherapy