Study on oral dosimetry of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and its correlation with radiation caries
AIM:To study the dose distribution characteristics of the main organs in the oral cavity of patients with head and neck cancer(HNC)radiotherapy and the relationship between radiation caries(RC)and radiotherapy dose.METHODS:Forty patients with HNC were retrospectively evaluated.According to the type of tumor,they were divided into nasopharyngeal carcinoma group,oral cancer group,oropharyngeal cancer group and hypopharyngeal cancer group(n=10).The Dmax and Dmean of the main organs in the oral cavity were recorded by the radiotherapy planning system.RESULTS:In the four groups,the Dmax and Dmean values of teeth were in the order of molars>premolars>anterior teeth.Except for nasopharyngeal carcinoma group,the Dmax and Dmean of mandibular teeth in the other three groups were higher than those of maxillary teeth.Except for hypopharyngeal carcinoma group,the relationship between Dmax,Dmean and tumor location(according to the laterality)in the other three groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In contrast,molars,mandibular teeth and teeth on the same side of the tumor will be exposed to higher doses of radiation,and targeted protective measures should be taken for such teeth.Tooth dose is not an independent factor in determining whether RC occurs.
head and neck cancerradiation doseradiation caries