Management of Mandibular ORN: PENTO as Medical Treatment

Phase 4

Completed

Brief Summary: Mandibular osteoradionecrosis, despite its low incidence, remains being the most problematic and irreversible complication after head and neck radiotherapy with no medical treatment to limit or reduce symptoms.

Different clinical trials have shown a significant scientific evidence that the treatment with pentoxifylline + tocopherol achieves a certain effectiveness in the treatment of the tissue fibrosis. This study proposes to use this drugs to determine if there is healing of mandibular osteoradionecrosis and/or a symptomatic improvement as well.

Detailed Description: Mandibular osteoradionecrosis which occurs after the use of radiation therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer remains being the most problematic and irreversible complication despite its low incidence with no medical treatment to limit or reduce symptoms.

Clinical trials conducted to date have shown a significant scientific evidence that the treatment with pentoxifylline + tocopherol achieves a certain effectiveness in the treatment of the tissue fibrosis that have been irradiated based on the properties of this drugs in increased tissue oxygenation and their antioxidant effect.

The aim of this study is to determine if there is a clinical improvement of mandibular osteoradionecrosis using Pentoxifylline in combination with Tocopherol as treatment because, currently, there is no effective treatment to achieve bone healing and/or a symptomatic improvement.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Over 18 years and under 90 years old.
Patients who have received radiotherapy after being diagnosed with head and neck cancer and currently are diagnosticated of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (any clinical stage)
Follow-up for at least a year after the radiation treatment is completed.
Absence of tumor at the time of recruitment.
Patients with the capacity to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Allergy or hypersensitivity to Pentoxifylline or others xanthines, or to Tocopherol (vitamin E).
Patients taking oral anticoagulants (acenocoumarol, warfarin).
Known hemorrhagic/coagulation disorder.
Vitamin K deficiency due to any cause.
Use of estrogens oral contraceptives.
Serious bleeding or extensive retinal hemorrhage.
Ischaemic heart diseases, including recent Myocardial Infarction.
Serious cardiac arrhythmia.
Severe LIVER DISEASE.
Severe renal failure (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min).
Hypotension.
Female patients who are pregnant or lactating
Any other situation or condition that, in the opinion of the INVESTIGATOR, may interfere with optimal PARTICIPATION in the study.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Pentoxifylline and Tocopherol	Pentoxifylline and Tocopherol	Drug: pentoxifylline with tocopherol Combination of pentoxifylline and tocopherol during a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 24 months.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Bone and/or Tissue Healing as Measured With the Classification of ORN Stages, Area of Bone Exposed (mm2) and Radiological Findings (OPG).	From baseline to 1, 3, 6, and 9 months of starting treatment	Clinical healing assessment as measured with the classification of ORN stages, area of bone exposed (mm2) and radiological findings (OPG). Intraoral bone exposure is measured in mm2.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Clinical Symptoms Evaluation, Measured Using the LENT-SOMA Scale	From baseline to 1,3, 6, 9 months of starting treatment	Evaluation of symptoms improvement using the LENT-SOMA scale (Late Effect Normal Tissue Task Force / Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic scale). To examine the LENT/SOMA scale prospectively using interviews and questionnaires Assessments were made from baseline to 1, 3, 6 and 9 months of starting treatments. The acceptability and feasibility of using the scales was examined using compliance in completion of the questionnaires. Maximum score: 36 Minimum score: 0 Questionnaires have been completed for 24 patients after treatment. Higher values represents worse outcome. Scale categories: Subjective: pain, nutritional problems, difficulty in mouth openning. Objective: bone exposure, trismus, Management: analgesic treatment, oral treatment, nutrition. Analytic: radiological findings.