Comparison of temporomandibular joint injuries after three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the radiation injuries of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) following three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-nine NPC patients without previous radiotherapy underwent 3D-CRT and another 32 received IMRT in our institute. The distance between the 2 dens incisivus medialis (DDIM) and LENT SOMA criteria were employed to evaluate TMJ injuries, clinical outcomes, and the performance-to-price ratios.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The short-term local response rates were similar between the two groups (P=0.878). The mean radiation doses of the TMJ were significantly higher in 3D-CRT group than in IMRT group (57.06 vs 40.90 Gy, P<0.001). The DDIM showed significant changes in 3D-CRT groups after the radiotherapy (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the TMJ injuries between the two groups according to the SOMA criteria (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radiation injuries of the TMJ are tolerable in both 3D-CRT and IMRT groups, and 3D-CRT is a more economic choice for patients who can not afford IMRT.</p>