Risk factors associated with the development of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in Head and Neck cancer patients in Ireland: A 10-year retrospective review

Over 700 cases of Head and Neck cancer (HNC) are diagnosed in Ireland each year [1]. Recommended treatment options for HNC include surgery, radiation therapy (RT), and systemic therapy [2]. One of the most serious long-term complications of radiotherapy in HNC patients is osteoradionecrosis (ORN) [3]. Clinical presentations of ORN include persistent pain, chronic bone exposure, pus secretion, radiographic bone changes, pathological fracture, inflammation, and roughness [4]. Patients suffering from ORN experience considerable deterioration in their quality of life owing to chronic pain, infection, dysphagia, and oro-facial deformities [5].
Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research