Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a 15-year retrospective study

Step-by-step full mouth rehabilitation of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient with tooth and implant-supported prostheses: A clinical report

This clinical report presents a 46-year-old man diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma with the chief complaint of masticatory and speech deficiency because of radiation therapy. After a period of controlling post radiation caries, the patient was rehabilitated with tooth and implant supported metal ceramic restorations following surgical and endodontic intervention.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current management, future directions and dental implications

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct cancer of the head and neck. Approximately 70% of patients with NPC present with locally advanced disease. Phase III clinical trials support combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the initial treatment of these patients. Current treatment approaches for metastatic disease are variable. Oral complications of therapy for NPC are very common. In order to support cancer therapy the dental provider must be aware of the diagnosis, prognosis and approach to treatment. Dental care requires that radiation fields be understood as well as the permanent changes that occur with high dose radiation therapy. Radiation causes changes in bone and soft tissue that may result in acute and chronic oral complications. The most common acute complications are mucositis, infection, xerostomia and taste changes. Mucositis is of increased severity and duration when chemotherapy is combined with radiation therapy. Chronic complications are due to late effects of radiation therapy including hyposalivation, infection, taste change, dysphagia and trismus. Treatment innovations with molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapy are being assessed to improve treatment outcomes in NPC and will impact oral complications and oral care.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: the role of the dentist in assessment, early diagnosis and care before and after cancer therapy

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) may present first to the dental profession as facial pain, neck masses, difficulty in speech and swallowing, ear, nose and throat symptoms, or as symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Recognition of the signs and symptoms are essential in order to lead to the correct diagnosis, and to avoid inappropriate intervention that may further delay diagnosis and initiation of treatment of the cancer. Differentiation between NPC and TMD may be facilitated by specific questioning of other symptoms that are not frequently associated with TMD such as neck masses, nasal obstruction, recent unilateral hearing deficit and epistaxis. The general dentist can become involved at three stages of a patient's experience with NPC: Stage 1, recognition of signs and symptoms; Stage 2, pre-treatment dental assessment; and Stage 3, post-treatment support. This paper is intended to: (1) alert the general dentist of the signs and symptoms associated with NPC, such that timely and appropriate treatment may ensue; (2) provide a basic outline for assessment, preparation, palliation and continuing care of a patient diagnosed with NPC; and (3) underline the significant role of the general dentist in achieving an optimal quality of life for these patients