OSTEORADIONECROSIS

Osteoradionecrosis

Osteoradionecrosis, as the name indicates, is a necrosis (“death”) of the maxillary bone or part of it, caused by radiation from radiotherapy. It represents one of the most feared complications of head and neck radiotherapy.

When does it occur?

It occurs in 5% of cases of people undergoing radiotherapy in the head and neck region. It can arise spontaneously or after local trauma, such as tooth extraction or the placement of an implant.

What are the risk factors?

- Radiation dose from radiotherapy (this is the main risk factor)

- Age

- Male sex

- Poor oral hygiene

- Tobacco use

- Alcohol consumption

- Nutritional status

How does it manifest?

Osteoradionecrosis manifests through:

- very intense pain in the jaws

- bad breath

- exposure of the bone inside the mouth

- mucosal ulcerations

- infection of the bone inside the mouth

Can it be prevented?

Yes. “Prevention is the best treatment.” Did you know that there is a set of measures that you should adopt for your mouth before, during, and after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy treatment?

Is there treatment?

Yes. Although prevention is more suitable than treatment, when the condition is already established, the necrotic or “dead” bone must always be removed, appropriate antibiotics should be administered, and there are currently new treatments being successfully applied.

If you wish to have this follow-up with us, please contact our team. We will provide multidisciplinary support alongside your oncological team, you, and your family.