RADIATION INDUCED ORAL MUCOSITIS AND ITS CO-RELATION WITH THE LIFESTYLE OF CANCER PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Radiation induced oral mucositis (RIOM) develops to some degree in all patients receiving radiation therapy to patients with head and neck cancer.

Materials and Methods: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients attending the dental clinic during their treatment were recruited. Patients diagnosed histopathologicaly, in the stages between I to IV, had radiation between 20 - 50 Gray (Gy) with or without chemotherapy were included. Treatment types were surgery, radiotherapy (RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CT). A questionnaire was prepared to collect the information regarding age, sex, type of treatment with radiation dose, unilateral/bilateral, mucositis grade, and oral hygiene. Patients were considered as past smokers, or non- smokers. Use of alcohol consumption was also documented.

Results: 106 HNC patients with mucositis and 100 HNC patients without mucositis (non-mucositis group) were analysed. Association of RIOM with alcohol users was; odds ratio (OR)= 9.9 (Confidence Interval (CI)-4.9-20.3), in smokers OR=11.6, (CI 5.7-23.9), in chewable tobacco users OR = 12.7 (CI 6.5-24.8), patients receiving radiation dose with >/=20 Gray the OR was 6.8, (CI 2.5-18.5), and in brushing OR was 0.27, (CI 0.12-0.62)

Conclusion: Knowing past tobacco use history of patients suffering from head and neck cancer will require closer dental follow-up during treatment with radiation, as they are more likely to develop RIOM.