Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Electromyography (EMG), thickness of the masseter and temporal muscles, maximal bite force in individuals with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy. The patterns of the muscle activity were evaluated by means of the EMG recordings of the masseter and temporal muscles; bilaterally during the following clinical conditions: rest, protrusion, right and left lateral excursions and Maximum Habitual Intercuspation (MHI). Muscle thickness was evaluated using ultrasound at rest and in MHI. Maximal bite force in the right and left molar regions of 10 fully dentate individuals with head and neck cancer was evaluated after radiotherapy and compared with a control group. The EMG means showed that at rest, protrusion, and left lateral excursion, there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). On evaluation with ultrasound, the muscle thickness values were higher for individuals with head and neck cancer at rest and in MIH, with statistically significant results found only for the right temporal during the MIH. Participants with head and neck cancer treatment were evaluated in the present study showed higher electromyographic activity when compared with the control group for all clinical situations. The treatment used with patients undergoing head and neck cancer increased the electromyographic activity, the muscle thickness, and the bite force when compared to control subjects. The results suggest a muscle dysfunction of the stomatognathic system in individuals with head and neck cancer treatment evaluated in the present study.
Highlights
Cancer is considered as an extremely complex genetic disease, which results from concomitant changes in genes usually related to proliferation, differentiation and cell death
The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 10), patients with head and neck cancer in different regions, stages III and IV, classified as resectable or not, treated with six month of radiotherapy, and Group II (n = 10), healthy individuals (Control) consisted of patients selected by comparing subject to subject
Group 1 presented higher EMG activity of the Right Masseter (RM), Left Masseter (LM) and Right Temporal (RT) muscles when compared to Group II, and there was statistically significance for the RM and LT muscles (p < 0.05)
Summary
Cancer is considered as an extremely complex genetic disease, which results from concomitant changes in genes usually related to proliferation, differentiation and cell death. Dentistry plays an important role in the various therapeutic phases against cancer, either before surgery, where a prior assessment can effectively reduce complications from infectious or chronic inflammatory processes of oral origin, or in prevention of oral sequelae such as Osteoradionecrosis (ORN), which occurs as a complication of radiation therapy [3]. Radiotherapy to the head and neck can cause temporary side effects and several adverse reactions in soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity and in the adjacent areas. Sometimes it can cause immediate and/or long-lasting side effects that develop months or even years later which are associated with the dose applied, the type of radiation, and the characteristics of the tissue cells involved. When a patient undergoes surgery combined with radiotherapy, functional and aesthetic rehabilitation may be necessary [4,5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Dentistry, Oral Disorders & Therapy
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
