A systematic review and meta-analysis of radiation-induced oral complications in head and neck cancer: Prevalence and clinical outcomes.
J Craniomaxillofac SurgAug 3, 2026 (epub)
Mohammad M Alnaeem, Sameera Khaled Darwish, Mohammad A Abu Sabra
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of radiation-induced oral complications, specifically xerostomia and oral mucositis, in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. The study found a pooled prevalence of 85% for xerostomia and 88.3% for any-grade oral mucositis, indicating a significant impact on dysphagia, malnutrition, and quality of life.
Key findings
- Pooled prevalence of xerostomia was 85% (95% CI: 81.6-87.9%).
- Pooled prevalence of any-grade oral mucositis was 88.3% (95% CI: 73.9-95.3%).
- Severe oral mucositis (Grade 3-4) prevalence was 39.5% (95% CI: 23.1-58.8%).
- Dysphagia was significantly associated with these complications at 69.8% (95% CI: 53.1-83.7%).
Why it matters
Understanding the high prevalence of radiation-induced oral complications is crucial for clinicians, as these conditions significantly affect patients' swallowing, nutritional intake, and overall quality of life, necessitating effective management strategies.