Oral management of patients following oncology treatment: Literature review

Many tumours of the head and neck are treated by clinical oncologists using radiotherapy. This treatment modality is particularly effective in destroy ing rapidly dividing cells, hence its value in cancer treatment. The tissue s of the oral mucosa, the salivary glands and blood vessels can be damaged as the result of radiotherapy treatment. As a result, patients experience u nwanted oral effects that have both short and long-term implications. The o utlook following treatment for head and neck cancer continues to improve an d, as people keep their teeth into later life, dentists will increasingly b e expected to address the oral problems that patients experience after radi otherapy, The aim of this article is to review the current literature conce rning the implications and management of these oral implications of cancer treatment. (C) 2000 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surge ons.