Predictors for trismus in patients receiving radiotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Head and Neck Cancer

Background:

• Trismus, characterized by restricted mouth opening, is a common complication in head and neck cancer patients.
• It can result from tumor infiltration, radiation fibrosis, or post-surgical scarring, severely impacting oral function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of trismus at various time points after radiotherapy.
• To identify patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics that predict trismus development in head and neck cancer patients.

Main Methods:

• Maximal mouth opening was measured before and at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months post-radiotherapy.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of trismus.

Main Results:

• At six months post-radiotherapy, 28.1% of patients initially without trismus developed it.
• Tumor location (oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, salivary glands, ear) and longer radiotherapy treatment time predicted early trismus.
• Maximal mouth opening was a predictor for trismus development at all measured time points.

Conclusions:

• The overall incidence of trismus was 3.6 per 10 person-years at risk.
• Tumor localization and overall radiotherapy treatment time are key predictors for trismus within the first six months.
• Regular maximal mouth opening measurements are crucial for predicting trismus development over time.