Osteonecrosis in patients irradiated for head and neck carcinoma

One hundred patients irradiated for cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and nasopharynx were evaluated for the occurrence of osteonecrosis and associated predisposing factors. Selection was based on availability of complete dental records, a minimum of six months follow-up, and treatment fields, which included maxilla and/or mandible. Bone doses were calculated by using radiotherapy treatment records, port films, and isodose distributions. Osteonecrosis developed in 19 of 78 dentulous patients and in 3 of 22 edentulous patients. The time of development of osteonecrosis varied; in 15 cases osteonecrosis occurred more than one year after treatment. The most important risk factor for the development of osteonecrosis was the radiation dose to bone, particularly in the less vascular mandible. Osteonecrosis 7500 rads to the bone. None of the patients who received less than 6500 rads developed osteonecrosis. The risk was significantly greater when teeth were removed after therapy compared with those individuals with extractions before radiation or no extractions at all.