Cross-Sectional Study of Oral Health in Patients After Parotid-Sparing Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Sponsor
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
- Enrollment
- 50
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- prevalence of dental caries in patients after PS-IMRT
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 11 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The investigators are conducting research about oral health and saliva to find out more about the impact of radiation therapy on the oral health of patients.
In order to better understand the role of saliva in maintaining oral health in these patients, the investigators will be collecting, storing, and analyzing the quality of saliva, including the protein content, collected from patients following radiation therapy as well as saliva collected from normal healthy adults.
Detailed Description
Radiation-induced xerostomia is the most common long term complication of head and neck radiation, is usually permanent and is the most frequent reason for reduced quality of life in these patients. The loss of antimicrobial, buffering, cleansing and remineralizing effects of saliva markedly increases the risk for dental caries. Extractions of diseased teeth located in irradiated bone and dental infection involving the bone can trigger osteoradionecrosis (ORN), another serious complication of high dose radiation of the jaws. Therefore, current dental treatment guidelines recommend the extraction of diseased teeth and any teeth that might require extraction in the future, before radiation therapy. (NCI, 1990; Rankin et al, 2003; NIDCR, 2005) As a result, patients with head and neck cancer often have many or all teeth extracted, especially those patients who are judged unlikely to comply with lifelong, daily topical fluoride, oral hygiene practices and frequent professional dental care. (Bruins et al, 1999)
Investigators
Avraham Eisbruch
Newman Family Professor of Radiation Oncology and Professor of Radiation
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •All subjects who have been enrolled in a parotid-sparing IMRT protocol for head and neck cancer at University of Michigan.
- •At least 6 months has elapsed since the completion of RT, at the time of assessment for this study.
- •All subjects must sign a University of Michigan Health System- IRB approved informed consent.
- •Documented Karnofsky performance status \> 60
- •These subjects will all have American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage III or Stage IV disease. (Green et al, 2001) (Appendix 2); non-metastatic, curable disease
Exclusion Criteria
- •History of surgical removal of major salivary gland(s).
- •Patients edentulous prior to radiation therapy.
- •Pregnancy or lactation
- •Patients residing in prison.
- •Age\< 18 years.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
prevalence of dental caries in patients after PS-IMRT
Time Frame: 24 Months
Various surveys and questionnaires administered for data collection as well as potential risk indicators for dental caries. Oral examination and saliva specimins collected will determine acid, plaque and exposure to tobacco products
prevalence of tooth loss in patients after PS-IMRT
Time Frame: 24 months
Various surveys and questionnaires administered for data collection as well as potential risk indicators for dental caries. Oral examination and saliva specimins collected will determine acid, plaque and exposure to tobacco products
Secondary Outcomes
- prevalence of periodontal disease after PS-IMRT(24 Months)