The oral implications of Hodgkin's disease

Hodgkin's disease is a cancer involving the lymphatics. While the yearly total of new cases is only approximately 7,500, the disease is very curable with modern radiotherapy and/or combination chemotherapy. This represents an increasing number of survivors who require dental treatment. Unfortunately, the treatment for Hodgkin's results in significant, permanent complications that persist for the duration of the patient's life. These complications can include xerostomia, radiation-induced caries, the risk of osteoradionecrosis in irradiated bone, and systemic complications such as a reduced immune response to microorganisms. These patients can and do undergo all types of dental treatment safely as long as the practitioner recognizes the risks involved and takes appropriate precautions.