[Osteoradionecrosis resulting from cobalt-60 therapy for head and neck tumors (author's transl)].

From 1966--1974, 628 patients were irradiated with Cobalt-60 as treatment for tumors of the head and neck. Tumor doses ranged from 6200 R to 8000 R. An osteoradionecrosis was discovered in 17 patients, and was mostly localized in the mandible. Most of the patients developed the necrosis during the first two years following completion of their radiation, although necrosis was also found up to 9 years following therapy. Prophylactic treatment of teeth should be completed before beginning radiation therapy, but such does not exclude the risk of necrosis.