Sammanfattning
Patients irradiated for head and neck cancer may experience
pronounced late oral complications. These include xerostomia
and hyposalivation, oral candidosis, mucosal discomfort and
pain, taste disturbances and restricted mouth opening. If saliva
secretion is decreased, there is a high risk of carious destruction
of teeth. It is of the utmost importance to prevent dental decay,
since tooth extractions will increase the risk of osteoradionecrosis
of the jaw, which is a severe complication. Oral complications of
cancer therapy have a negative impact on quality of life in a lifelong
perspective by hampering daily activities such as speech,
chewing and swallowing. This is both a severe social handicap
and hinders adequate nutritional intake. Many of the late oral
complications (e.g. xerostomia and hyposalivation, mucosal infections
and dental caries) can be prevented or significantly reduced.
Thus, patients should be followed-up stringently in the
primary sector after cancer treatment to ensure timely prevention
and management of late oral complications.