B-cell infiltration distinguishes mucosal from skin patterns of rejection in facial vascularized composite allografts.

Rejection monitoring in facial vascularized composite allotransplantation (fVCA) traditionally focuses on skin biopsies. However, mucosal rejection frequently presents with more pronounced signs of immune activity. To explore mechanistic differences between skin and mucosal rejection, rejection and non-rejection biopsies from allograft skin and oral mucosa of nine fVCA recipients were retrospectively analyzed using histology, multiplex immunostaining, and gene expression profiling, with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) quantified via mass cytometry (CyTOF).

Navigating Treatment-Induced Head and Neck Malignancies in Cancer Survivors.

Cancer presents a significant global health burden. Traditional treatment modalities, especially radiotherapy and chemotherapy, have improved survival, but they have long-term consequences. Treatment-induced malignancies, a growing concern, pose risks to survivors.

The oral medicine workforce and impact on access to care in the United States.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize the current oral medicine (OM) workforce by examining the distribution of OM diplomates (OMDs) across the Unites States and to determine the need for expanding access to care.

Study Design: The OMD access was calculated based on the OMDs per 10,000 state population from the 2020 US Census data as well as their distance from state capitals and most populated cities. OMD penetrance in hospitals and cancer centers was assessed at National Cancer Care Network (NCCN) cancer centers, and Best Hospitals as reported in the 2022 US News and World Report (USNWR).

Local anesthesia nerve block for managing burning mouth syndrome: a scoping review.

Objective: To assess the clinical scenarios in which nerve blocks are employed in the context of burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

Study Design: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR. A protocol was generated on Open Science Framework.

MASCC/ISOO clinical practice statement: Current understanding on controversies in basic oral care in hemato-oncology and hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Purpose: A MASCC/ISOO Clinical Practice Statement (CPS) is aimed at generating a concise tool for clinicians, which concentrates on practical information needed for the management of oral complications of cancer patients. This CPS is focused on the current understanding of controversies that may arise while providing basic oral care in hemato-oncology patients and hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients (HCT). The CPS will summarize and elucidate controversies that have appeared in the literature and professional discussions.

Imiquimod for the treatment of oral leukoplakia: A two-center retrospective study.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the use of topical imiquimod for the management of oral leukoplakia (OL).

Methods: This was a retrospective study. Medical chart reviews were conducted to identify patients with biopsy-proven OL treated with topical 5% imiquimod.

Females have lower salivary flow than males, before and after radiation therapy for head/neck cancer.

Objective: To compare salivary flow rates between females and males, before and after radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Prospective observational multicenter cohort study (OraRad). Stimulated whole salivary flow was measured before RT and at 6 and 18 months after RT.

Oral and cutaneous immune-related adverse events in cancer patients: Prevalence and overall survival.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of cutaneous and oral immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in cancer patients, risk factors for its development, and overall survival (OS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective observational study which included 748 medical records of cancer patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Demographic and clinicopathological characteristics were collected and analyzed.

Factors associated with oral hygiene compliance in patients treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Background: Patients who are oral hygiene noncompliant (OHNC) are more likely to lose teeth after radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC), which increases the risk of developing osteoradionecrosis. A previous study revealed that patients who were OHNC at baseline (BL) who became oral hygiene compliant during follow-up had the best tooth-failure outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with oral hygiene compliance (OHC), overall, and among those who were BL OHNC.

Thalidomide for management of refractory oral mucosal diseases.

Background: Thalidomide has anti-inflammatory properties and has been used off-label for multiple mucocutaneous disorders, but its application in managing refractory oral mucosal diseases is unclear. This study aimed to review the efficacy and safety of thalidomide in treating various oral mucosal disorders refractory to conventional therapies.

Methods: The medical records of patients who were prescribed thalidomide from 2002 through 2021 for oral mucosal disorders were reviewed.

Hydroxychloroquine for the management of recalcitrant oral lichen planus.

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) refractory to conventional therapy.

Study Design: In this single-center retrospective study, patients were prescribed HCQ 200 mg twice daily. Pain, reticulation, erythema, and ulceration scores were recorded.

Reduced mouth opening in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy: an analysis of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (OraRad).

Objective: Trismus/reduced mouth opening (RMO) is a common side effect of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). The objective was to measure RMO, identify risk factors for RMO, and determine its impact on quality of life (QOL).

Study Design: OraRad is an observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study of patients receiving curative intent RT for HNC.

Impact of photobiomodulation for prevention of oral mucositis on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review.

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review to evaluate the impact of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of oral mucositis (OM) on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation therapy. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The search strategy was performed in five electronic databases (Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science).

Monte Carlo based dosimetry of extraoral photobiomodulation for prevention of oral mucositis.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is recommended for prevention and treatment of oral mucositis, a painful condition that occurs in cancer patients. Intraoral PBMT is limited to treating distal oral mucosa and oropharynx. Extraoral PBMT may provide a more efficient intervention.

Dental evaluation and clearance prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Introduction: Dental examination and stabilization are performed prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation to decrease infection risk during neutropenia. Burden of dental disease and treatment need is not well characterized in this population.

Objectives: This report describes the dental status of a cohort of patients within the Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Consortium and treatment rendered prior to transplant.

Tooth-level predictors of tooth loss and exposed bone after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Background: The objective of this study was to identify tooth-level risk factors for use during preradiation dental care management to predict risk of tooth failure (tooth lost or declared hopeless) and exposed bone after radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: The authors conducted a prospective observational multicenter cohort study of 572 patients receiving RT for HNC. Participants were examined by calibrated examiners before RT and then every 6 months until 2 years after RT.

Oral health-related quality of life after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: the OraRad study.

Purpose: Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment results in morbidity impacting quality of life (QOL) in survivorship. This analysis evaluated changes in oral health-related QOL (OH-QOL) up to 2 years after curative intent radiation therapy (RT) for HNC patients and factors associated with these changes.

Methods: 572 HNC patients participated in a multicenter, prospective observational study (OraRad).