Physical Therapy Can Play Important Role Following Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer
Individuals who have been treated with radiation for head and neck cancer are at an increased risk for Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome (RFS). The syndrome can develop at any point following a course of radiation, which means symptoms can begin long after treatment has been completed. What is RFS and Why Does it Occur? Radiation is designed to go after cancerous cells, but it can negatively impact non-cancerous cells. In the case of RFS, the non-cancerous cells can have alteration
What is cancer?
This helpful video from FoundationMedicine explains what cancer is in 3 minutes. References Cancer Explained. FoundationMedicine. Cambridge, Massachusetts, 23 Nov. 2013. YouTube. Web. 02 Sept. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwbuW7oK8rk>. #cancer #dentaloncology #oralcancer #lymphoma #metastaticcancertobone #prostatecancer #breastcancer #bonecancer
How Does Chemotherapy Affect Oral and Dental Health?
Although there are side effects associated with chemotherapy, it is important to note that the side effects typically resolve when patients end their treatment. To oversimplify chemotherapy, it interferes with the metabolism and reproduction of tumor cells also known as neoplastic cells. In the process of altering the metabolism and reproduction of these cells, chemotherapy also affects other rapidly dividing cells in the body including the cells responsible for defending the
The Oral and Dental Conditions Associated with Stem Cell Transplants: A Closer Look
Indubitably, hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) are lifesaving and have transformed the field of medicine. Hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) may involve either the transfer of stem cells from one individual to another, known as an allogeneic HSCT or the return of the harvested cells to the same person known as an autologous HSCT. Nonetheless, these treatments are linked to orofacial conditions mainly due to the immunosuppressive nature of the pre-transplant t