Oral cavity assessment in cancer patients before/after radiotherapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
“The characterisation of therapeutic radiation-induced dental caries; the histopathological, ultrastructural and microbial changes affecting its prevention and treatment”
IRAS ID
199100
Contact name
Avijit Banerjee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London,Director of Research Management, Director of Administration .
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Radiotherapy (RT) patients with head and neck cancer are at risk of developing very severe caries in the 6-12 months after treatment in spite of fluoride treatment used today in the UK. Some patients with irradiated dry mouths develop up to 10 deep cavities and broken teeth within 12-18 months after RT. This study aims to assess the histopathology, ultra structural and microbial changes that occur in patients’ teeth / oral cavity, who have undergone therapeutic radiation therapy affecting the head and neck. This is a clinical trial with two approaches: first is an 18 month follow up clinical trial; we are going to do an oral cavity assessment of head and neck cancer patients before and after they will be treated with radiotherapy. The second is an oral cavity assessment of head and neck cancer patients who have undergone therapeutic radiation in order to compare these outcomes with a control group of healthy people who attend at King’s College Dental Institute at Guy’s Hospital. After an initial oral evaluation of all participants, samples of saliva will be collected, dental bio film sample will be collected, extracted teeth will be collected and finally carious dentine samples will be collected. All the samples will be collected for microbiological / biochemical analysis and evaluation to determine the species richness in the bacterial community also ultra structural histology evaluation of those dental hard tissues using a complement of bio photonic and radiation analytical methods. The study will be carried out at KCL Dental Institute at Guy’s Hospital. Potential volunteers will be given written information about the process and be given time to consider participation. Once any questions have been answered, fully informed written consent will be obtained if they are interested in taking part.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
16/NS/0116
Date of REC Opinion
2 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion