Efeitos colaterais da radioterapia de cabeça e pescoço sobre os tecidos duros e moles da cavidade oral e seus tratamentos – Uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Radiotherapy has been one of the main choices for the treatment of head and neck cancer. neck, resulting in side effects affecting the soft and hard tissues of the sinus patient's mouth causing discomfort and debilitation of the individual. The present work describes the main side effects of radiotherapy, the treatments to alleviate and/or treat these sequelae and methods to prevent further injury and reduce damage, aiming at a significant improvement of the patient in his day-to-day life and well-being. It was made a review of the literature in the area in the Pubmed, Scielo and Lilacs databases, using the keywords: head and neck cancer, radiotherapy, side effects, soft tissues and hard, oral cavity, from March to July 2021. The main side effects of radiotherapy were: mucositis, xerostomia, secondary infections, radiation caries, trismus, dysgeusia and osteoradionecrosis. Treatments for radiation therapy side effects involve drug and/or palliative therapies and preventive measures such as strict oral hygiene, use of dental floss and fluoride toothpaste, elimination of infectious outbreaks, healthy eating together with the cessation of smoking and alcoholism. This study reinforces the need and relevance of knowledge of dentists of these conditions and alterations, leading them to indicate the best treatment and the best conduct for the prevention of side effects of radiotherapy to patients.