Lesions usually begin to appear about 2 weeks after beginning therapy and continue until blood counts return to normal. Radiation damage can cause a reduction in blood supply and oxygen to the bones, resulting in tissue breakdown, exposed bone, infection, tissue death, and pain. Both radiation therapy and chemotherapy drugs affect the ability of cells to divide, making it difficult for tissue to repair itself. Radiation damage, however, occurs only in the site that is irradiated. The damage depends on the amount and kind of radiation used, the total dose used, and the size of the area irradiated.
Damage caused by radiation therapy affects the tissues for the rest of the patient's life.
These tissues are more easily damaged at a later time by drugs or radiation because the ability of cells to repair themselves normally has been permanently damaged. Management before cancer therapy Oral complications in patients with head and neck cancer can be minimized when aggressive prevention measures are taken before treatment begins. Primary preventive measures such as a well-balanced diet, good oral cleaning, and early identification of oral problems are important. This examination should occur as early as possible but at least 1 month before treatment to allow healing of any dental work that may be performed. Assessing the state of oral health before cancer treatment allows the dentist to determine which steps need to be taken during and after treatment.