DMF-T index in patients undergoing radiation therapy with LINAC X-ray radiation for head and neck cancer at Department of Radiotherapy, Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital

Abstract

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer frequently caused severe salivary gland dysfunction. The salivary gland dysfunction possibly decreased the protective function of saliva and caused dental caries. The purpose of this study was to obtain an illustration about DMF-T index in patient undergoing radiation therapy with LINAC X-ray radiation for head and neck cancer at Department of Radiotherapy, Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital in January-February 2007. The study was a simple descriptive. The study was conducted on 7 males and 9 females undergoing radiation therapy with LINAC X-ray radiation for head and neck cancer. The ages of patient are between 37 years and 77 years. The severity of caries was measured by DMF-T index. DMF-T index in 16 patient undergoing radiation therapy with LINAC X-ray radiation for head and neck cancer at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital is 10.6 as the result of this study. The conclusion of this study showed that the DMF-T index in 16 patient undergoing radiation therapy with LINAC X-ray radiation for head and neck cancer at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital had very high grade based on WHO classification, which the value was over 6.6.

Salivary pH changes post nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy using linac x- ray

“…The determination of radiotherapy is based on the histopathology of tumour nasal cells, the stage and extent of the spread, the patient's health condition, and the availability of facilities and infrastructure. [5][6][7] Currently, radiotherapy has been accepted as one of the most important types of therapy for this disease, in addition to surgery and chemotherapy. This method began to be used as one type of treatment of malignant tumours not long after the discovery of X-rays by W.C. Roentgenat the end of the nineteenth century.…”

“…X-ray sources from an electron Linac beam can act as a rapid particle radiation source which can be utilized for tumour radiotherapy. 5 The use of radiotherapy for the nasopharynx and surrounding tissues can lead to biological effects, especially on cells and tissues in the area. This condition affects the oral environment beginning with changes in the mucosa, minor salivary trajectory, and especially the major salivary glands located in the irradiation field.…”