Department of Veterans Affairs Consensus: Preradiation dental treatment guidelines for patients with head and neck cancer.

Few protocols have been published for the dental management of patients with head and neck cancer to prevent complications from head and neck radiation therapy. Radiation therapy not only affects the tumor cells targeted, but also the dentition, bone, salivary gland, and oral soft tissue structures. A comprehensive dental evaluation prior to head and neck radiation therapy can help prevent many complications.

Dosimetric distribution to the tooth-bearing regions of the mandible following intensity-modulated radiation therapy for base of tongue cancer.

Objectives: Osteoradionecrosis is a significant complication following head and neck radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosages delivered to the tooth-bearing regions of the mandible.

Study Design: A total of 28 patients with base of tongue cancer with the following stages: T1-2/N2-3 (n = 10), T3-4/N2-3 (n = 10), and T1-4/N0 (n = 8), treated with IMRT, were included.

Geldanamycin inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophages by reducing the stability and translation of cytokine transcripts.

Objective: Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is critical in the intracellular signaling pathways that promote inflammatory cytokine production. Geldanamycin (GD) is a benzoquinone ansamycin that inhibits the function of Hsp90. GD inhibits the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in activated macrophages and suppresses the progression of adjuvant-induced arthritis and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rodents.