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Dose perturbation resulting from gold fillings in patients with head and neck cancers

Journal Article · · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)
Among patients who are being treated for head and neck cancers, those with gold-filled teeth have earlier acute radiation reactions in the lateral surface of the tongue and buccal mucosa adjacent to their gold fillings than patients with no gold filled teeth. An investigation to determine the cause of this reaction revealed a rapid increase in the dose adjacent to the metal teeth. This high dose zone was fond to be less than 2 mm in tissue. This overdosage can be prevented by separating the gold-filled teeth from the oral mucosa with dental caps made of tissue equivalent material.
Research Organization:
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago, IL
OSTI ID:
6244828
Journal Information:
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 5:4; ISSN IOBPD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English