Late Oral Complications Caused by Head and Neck Radiotherapy: Clinical and Laboratory Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of presented cross-sectional and observational study was to determine the prevalence of late oral complications of patients with head and neck cancer who underwent radiotherapy, by clinical and laboratory analyses. Material and Methods Fifty-five patients, 43 (78.2%) men and 12 (21.8%) women, mean age 60; range 38 to 87 years, who have completed radiotherapy for head and neck cancer for at least 6 months were enrolled. The presence of xerostomia, hyposalivation, oral candidiasis, and type of oral yeasts were correlated with post-radiotherapy period. A control group, age and gender matched, was used for comparisons. The Pearson’s Chi-square or Fischer’s exact test was used at a significance level of 5%. Results The mean post-radiotherapy period was 32 months. The oral complications found were xerostomia (45/55, [81.8%]), hyposalivation (44/55 [80%]) and oral candidiasis (15/55 [27.2%]). Xerostomia and hyposalivation was statistically higher in the study group when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The presence of yeast occurred in 39 (70.9%) of the patients in the study group, and Candida albicans was the most prevalent etiological agent in 25 (64.1%) of those patients (P < 0.05). Conclusions Xerostomia and hyposalivation were the more prevalent late oral complications related to radiotherapy. Oral candidiasis was also observed, although its prevalence was lower. The need for long-term dental follow-up of patients who underwent radiotherapy of the head and neck cancer is mandatory.

Adherence of Candida Species Isolated from Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Presented for Radiation Therapy and its Correlation with Hemogram

“…Recently there has been an increase in the incidence of NAC species being reported from patients who are undergoing RT for HNC. 24 In a study by Martinez et al 25 on candidiasis in patients during the post-radiotherapy period, 35.9% of the isolates were NAC, out of which only 12.8% and 5.1% were C. tropicalis and C. krusei, respectively. In a recent study conducted in eastern India, researchers identified a notable presence of nonalbicans Candida species causing oral infections, demonstrating a significant variance in virulence compared to C. albicans.…”

Evaluation of Candidiasis in Upper-Aerodigestive Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients—A Clinico-Mycological Aspect

“…C. albicans , considered to be the most serious cause of candidiasis, is diploid, polymorphic yeast producing three morphologic forms: yeast cells, pseudo hyphae, and true hyphae. Radiation therapy to the head and neck region can cause xerostomia, thereby increasing the incidence of oral candidiasis [ 13 ].…”