Radiation dose distribution in the teeth, maxilla, and mandible of patients with oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal tumors who were treated with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) dose delivered to the teeth, maxilla, and mandible. METHODS: The mean dose (Dmean) and maximum dose (Dmax) of radiation for the maxilla, mandible, and teeth of 63 patients with oropharyngeal (n = 44) or nasopharyngeal (n = 19) tumors were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The posterior regions of the mandible received the highest doses, and the teeth received lower doses than the bones (maximum dose, p < .001; average dose, p < .001). The Dmax (p < .001) and Dmean (p < .001) depended on primary tumor location. The superior bones and teeth of patients with nasopharyngeal tumors received more radiation than those of patients with oropharyngeal tumors. CONCLUSION: A dose distribution map was generated based on the estimated doses received, which could allow prediction of the areas most affected by radiation and facilitate further correlations with dental complications after radiotherapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1708-1716, 2016.