Pre-radiotherapy dental status of oropharyngeal cancer patients based on HPV status in a novel radiation era.

Objectives Among common head and neck cancers (HNCs), oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients have been identified as having a better dentition than many other tumour subsites. OPC consists of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and negative groups with different prognosis. The purpose of this study is to explore the presenting dental status of OPC patients based on HPV status at the pre-radiotherapy phase.Materials and methods The study reviewed the dental panoramic radiographs of OPC patients seen at a dedicated pre-radiotherapy dental assessment clinic from 2011-2017. Only patients planned for intensity-modulated radiotherapy treatment were included within this study. Relevant dental and oncological data were collected.Results A total of 316 patients with known HPV status (215 positive; 101 negative) were included for analysis. HPV-positive patients had significantly more teeth on attendance than HPV-negative patients (22.3 vs 19.0, p = 0.0000) and horizontal bone loss was less severe compared to HPV-negative patients (p = 0.0000). HPV-positive males and patients in the 55-64 decade presented with the best and most complex dentition.Conclusion The rise of OPC with the prospect of long survival, particularly in HPV-positive patients, requires a dentition with adequate function and subsequent maintenance. The current study demonstrated that these patients have a complex dentition presenting new challenges to the dentist. This may explain in part the elevated osteoradionecrosis rate seen in this tumour group.

Presenting pre-radiotherapy dental status of head and neck cancer patients in the novel radiation era.

Objectives Dental assessment remains a key intervention for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients pre-radiotherapy (RT). The purpose of this study was to identify the variation in dental status of patients pre-treatment, with respect to population and oncological demographics.Materials and methods The study reviewed dental panoramic radiographs of HNC patients seen on a dedicated pre-RT dental clinic from 2011-2017. Only patients who had undergone intensity-modulated radiotherapy treatment were included within this study. Relevant dental and oncological data were collected.Results A total of 886 patients were included in this study, with oropharyngeal cancer constituting 36% of the cohort. The average number of teeth in HNC patients was <21 at the pre-RT phase, which is below the recognised threshold for a functional dentition. Smoking status has a significant impact on overall DMFT (decay/missing/filled teeth), severity of horizontal bone loss and the number of third molars present (p <0.001). In the latter, males had a higher mean number of third molars compared to females (p <0.005). Comparing dental status of patients based on their tumour sub-site identified significant (p <0.0005) variation in all aforementioned categories.Conclusion There are distinct differences in the dental health of HNC patients due to commence RT, compared to the general population. It varies by cancer sub-site and this should be taken into consideration at dental assessment to tailor a dental care plan to the needs of the individual. Consideration should be given to balancing masticatory function against the risks of osteoradionecrosis on the background of increasingly extended survivorship.