Dose-Dependence Relationship Between Radiotherapy and Oral Mucositis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Oral Medicine

Background:

• Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) are at high risk for radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM).
• Accurate assessment of RIOM risk factors is crucial for patient management and treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between RT exposure and the presence and severity of RIOM in HNC patients.
• To identify key predictors for RIOM development and progression.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of 121 HNC patients treated with 3D conformal RT.
• RIOM assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression models.

Main Results:

• RIOM was present in 42.1% of patients; no WHO grade 4 cases observed.
• Intraoral tumor location, increased RT sessions, cumulative RT dose, and female sex were independently associated with RIOM presence.
• Intraoral tumors and higher RT exposure correlated with increased RIOM severity.

Conclusions:

• RT dose and intraoral tumor location are primary determinants of RIOM presence and severity.
• These findings emphasize the importance of anatomical site and radiation burden in stratifying RIOM risk.
• Further research may explore interventions to mitigate RIOM in high-risk patients.