Which of the following statements concerning the effects of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cancer is FALSE?
Mucositis lesions will heal after the cessation of radiotherapy.B) Osteoradionecrosis can occur long after radiotherapy is completed.C) Salivary gland dysfunction always resolves after the cessation of radiotherapy.D) A rapidly-advancing pathologic form of dental caries known as radiation caries can occur. ORAL AND SYSTEMIC CANCERS Mucositis will resolve after radiotherapy is completed, with healing time proportionate to the extent of the lesions. Only emergency dental treatment should be attempted while the patient is undergoing radiotherapy, and even this should be discussed with the patient’s oncologist and surgeon. Treatment for mucositis, as determined by the extent of the lesions, usually involves palliative care with non-narcotic or narcotic analgesics. Oral rinses such as benzydamine hydrochloride can provide limited temporary topical anesthesia for mucositis lesions. Oral rinses work best if they are initiated the day before radiotherapy begins. Patients should rinse, hold the
