OSTEORADIONECROSIS OF THE JAW AFTER HEAD/NECK RADIOTHERAPY: CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Radiation therapy in combination with surgery and chemotherapy is the most common oncologic treatment for head and neck tumors. This combination of different therapies rappresents a successful treatment, however there are adverse side effects, the most severe and serious is the osteroradionecrosis (ORN). The primary treatment for ORN is to prevent its occurrence thus the best preventive procedure is to insert all patients in to a pre-cancer treatment dental protocol.