Emergency Number

Patients who have received radiotherapy to the head or neck region as part of their cancer therapy are at risk of bone decay if they need to undergo a dental procedure such as tooth removal in the future.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used as a preventative measure by some consultants, being prescribed before and after the dental operation to reduce the likelihood of bone death (necrosis).

The HOPON trial (Hyperbaric Oxygen for the Prevention of OsteoradioNecrosis) aims to provide evidence whether HBO therapy is a useful preventative adjunct to the dental procedure.  Many maxillofacial consultants across the UK are involved with the trial and plans are being developed to expand the trial into Europe.

DDRC has worked with the University of Liverpool and the Aintree University NHS Foundation Trust to help with trial development and is now one of the treatment centres at the forefront of the trial.  The trial is funded by Cancer Research UK.

Further information about the trial is available from the Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit website:  http://www.lctu.org.uk/trial/trials_open.asp?id=49