Impact of Radiation-induced Trismus on Patients’ Life Quality

Head and neck cancers (HNC) account for 10–15% of all globally. Curative radiation therapy (RT) concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without surgery are widely accepted standard treatment modalities these patients. Radiation-induced fibrosis is one the side effects treatments, it causes degeneration, inflammation, pain, atrophy masticatory muscle fibers temporomandibular joint, resulting in trismus. Trismus, also known as hypomobility mouth, defined a restricted opening mouth. trismus (RIT) can occur within first three months up to 12–48 later during follow-up period. It has significant negative influence on daily activities vital oral functions, including speech problems, difficulty eating drinking, psychological malnutrition, dehydration, hygiene, reducing quality life (QoL). Given underappreciated nature its consequences HNC patients receiving RT C-CRT, purpose this review was provide concise physical, social, emotional implications RIT their impact QoL measures, well available evaluation methods physicians related medical fields.