The SIDE EFFECTS OF RADIOTHERAPY IN THE ORAL CAVITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL MONITORING IN ANTINEOPLASTIC TREATMENT

Abstract

Introduction: Radiotherapy is one of the main and most widely used treatments for combating carcinoma, and is widely used in head and neck neoplasms. However, its application can result in a range of adverse and undesirable side effects, especially in the oral cavity, and can compromise the quality of life of cancer patients if not treated correctly. The main complications include xerostomia, radiation caries, oral mucositis and osteoradionecrosis, all associated with the action of radiation on oral tissues. In this scenario, dentistry plays an important and fundamental role in monitoring these patients, both in prevention and in the correct management of the sequelae caused by radiotherapy treatment. Objective:. The general objective of the study is to analyze the importance of dental monitoring during radiotherapy treatment and the oral impacts of this severe procedure. Materials and methods: This is a narrative literature review, carried out between August and December 2024. Databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed and SciELO were used, with keywords in English related to the topic, such as “Radiotherapy”, “Odontology” and “Side effects”. The inclusion criteria were articles related to the topic and available in full, without language restriction or publication period. 30 scientific articles were analyzed. Results: The review found that the side effects of radiotherapy in the oral cavity directly impact the quality of life of patients. The main findings include xerostomia, radiation caries, oral mucositis and osteoradionecrosis. Conclusion: Despite its effectiveness in cancer treatment, radiotherapy has negative impacts on oral health, making the role of a dentist in the multidisciplinary team essential. Adequate dental monitoring tends to improve patients' quality of life, reducing complications. Therefore, the need for preventive protocols and continuous monitoring to minimize damage to the oral cavity is emphasized.