Journal of Cancer and Tumor International

Abstract

Management of irradiated patients with cancer in the head and neck region is a challenging scenario. Radiotherapy promotes cellular and vascular insufficiency that results in a low response rate in the healing. Consequently, surgical procedures in irradiated tissues present high rates of complication. Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is the most severe sequelae caused by radiotherapy. ORN can occur due to multiple reasons, of which periodontal disease, traumatic injury induced by ill-fitting dentures and trauma after surgery or tooth extraction are the most common. The management of this side effect is difficult and can result in bone or soft tissue loss, affecting the quality of life since majority of patients with ORN have various comorbidities associated. In this article we present a case report of osteoradionecrosis secondary to irradiation for breast cancer which is not frequently reported in literature.