Mucositis

This research aims to evaluate how full-arch implant-supported prostheses affect lip support in patients undergoing complex dental rehabilitation. The study focuses on how different clinical and laboratory decisions between diagnosis and prosthesis delivery may influence the prosthetic design and the patient's facial profile. Advanced 3D facial scanning and superimposition techniques allow precise measurement of vertical occlusion and lip support. Participants will undergo removal of their full-arch implant-supported prostheses, with digital facial images captured before and after this procedure using a facial scanner. This observational study leverages modern digital technology to measure changes objectively and does not involve experimental treatments. During the study, researchers will assess changes in the volume around the mouth area, distances between the lips and esthetic lines on the facial profile, and angles related to the nose and lips. These measurements occur on the same day as the prosthesis removal. The study helps improve understanding of facial changes related to dental prostheses and involves participants collaborating with the research protocol through imaging and clinical assessments.

Researchers are studying the effects of different oral care methods on oral health in patients receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) in the intensive care unit. This randomized controlled trial compares three groups to find the most effective oral care method. The study is led by SÜMEYYE BİLGİLİ TEKİN and focuses on preventing oral complications in these patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group receiving the standard chlorhexidine oral care kit; an electric toothbrush group receiving the chlorhexidine kit plus an electric toothbrush and toothpaste; and a manual toothbrush group receiving the chlorhexidine kit with a manual toothbrush and toothpaste. Treatments are given during the intensive care stay while patients are on NIMV. During the study, participants' oral health will be assessed daily for three consecutive days using tools like the Oral Assessment Guide, saliva pH measurements, and salivation tests with Schirmer Tear Test Strips. Researchers will monitor oral health status and saliva pH to evaluate the effects of the different oral care methods. The study starts September 2025 and runs through April 2026.

Researchers are investigating a new way to predict severe oropharyngeal mucositis caused by radiation therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer common in southern China. The study focuses on a mucosal contouring method based on swallowing-induced breakthrough pain, which showed better prediction results than previous methods. This prospective, multicenter, observational study aims to further evaluate the effectiveness of this new predictive approach. The study observes patients with NPC who are undergoing radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Researchers will use the new mucosal delineation method to assess radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis by monitoring swallowing-induced breakthrough pain. This method aims to identify patients at high risk for severe mucositis to help guide timely interventions, although no specific treatments are provided within the study. Participants will be monitored throughout the study period, which can last up to three years. Researchers will collect continuous records of mucositis severity and self-reported pain during swallowing. The study measures the accuracy of the predictive model using various statistical tools like AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. Safety and other important predictors of mucositis will also be evaluated, with no additional treatments or interventions required for participants.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in treating centrally and ultra-centrally located lung tumors. The study involves patients with primary, oligo-metastatic, or oligo-progressive non-hematological cancers, focusing on tumor control, treatment-related side effects, quality of life, and survival outcomes. It aims to improve understanding and future treatment strategies for these challenging tumor locations. Patients with centrally located lung tumors receive SBRT using standard linear accelerators with daily cone beam CT image-guidance and plan adaptation, while those with ultra-centrally located tumors are treated on MR-linac machines with daily MR-guided plan adaptation. Central tumors are defined by proximity to specific airways and organs, and ultra-central tumors are even closer to critical structures. Tumor location and suitability are assessed by diagnostic imaging, and treatment plans are adapted daily to target tumors precisely. Participants will be monitored extensively, with treatment-related adverse events recorded from baseline through up to 10 years post-treatment at multiple intervals. Follow-up includes imaging scans and clinical assessments to measure tumor control, disease progression, and survival. Quality of life is also assessed. The study enrollment continues until target patient numbers are met, allowing detailed long-term evaluation of treatment outcomes and safety for both tumor groups.

Researchers are studying a new mucosal contouring method to predict radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This condition, which causes swallowing-induced breakthrough pain, greatly affects patients' quality of life during radiotherapy. Previous prediction models using oral cavity or mucosa surface contouring were not satisfactory, so this study aims to further evaluate a method based on mucosal areas linked to breakthrough pain in a real-world, multicenter observational setting. This observational study will follow patients with locally advanced NPC undergoing radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. The study focuses on assessing how well the mucosal delineation method predicts the occurrence and severity of oropharyngeal mucositis by tracking swallowing-induced breakthrough pain. There are no investigational treatments involved; instead, patients are observed and data is collected during their standard care. Participants will have their oral or oropharyngeal mucositis severity and swallowing pain recorded continuously throughout their treatment. Researchers will analyze the predictive model's performance by measuring accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and other statistical values over up to three years. The study will help improve risk assessment and early intervention for mucositis in NPC patients, with all data collected during their regular clinical visits.

Researchers are evaluating noninvasive imaging methods to study the appearance of skin and mucosal lesions to improve diagnostic accuracy before a biopsy is needed and to help guide treatment planning. This study involves creating an Image Repository to store these images for clinical practice, teaching, training, and future research. It uses a high-resolution Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device called ApolloVueae S100 Image System that provides detailed cross-sectional and en-face images with cellular information. Participants with muco-cutaneous lesions, including normal skin, benign lesions, or neoplastic conditions, identified during routine clinical care will undergo various non-invasive imaging tests. These include dermoscopic imaging, 3-dimensional total body photography, confocal microscopy, OCT imaging, ultrasound, hyperspectral imaging, electrical impedance spectroscopy, and patient self-imaging using mobile phone technology with dermatoscope attachments. Images will be collected of untreated and treated lesions over a period of 7 years. Participants will have their lesions imaged using these non-invasive tools, with images collected and stored in the Image Repository. Assessments include capturing detailed images using specialized devices to evaluate lesion morphology, depth, vascular features, and biochemical information. Researchers will monitor the imaging data to support clinical decisions, teaching, and future research. Participation may involve multiple imaging sessions over time, and safety monitoring includes ensuring no allergic reactions to imaging materials. The study welcomes healthy volunteers and all ages, with informed consent or parental consent and patient assent as applicable.

Researchers are investigating the impact of photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low level laser therapy, on the occurrence and severity of oral mucositis in patients who have undergone surgery for oral cancer and are receiving radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. This study aims to understand if PBM can reduce oral mucositis, a painful condition affecting the mouth lining during cancer treatment. Participants will receive PBM treatment five times a week during their radiotherapy sessions. After completing radiotherapy, those who still have oral mucositis may continue PBM treatment until the condition resolves, with treatment frequency adjusted by the study team. PBM is applied within and around the oral cavity using a laser device. During the study, participants will be monitored for the development and severity of oral mucositis over about one year. Researchers will also assess pain levels, quality of life, use of pain medication, ability to eat normally, mouth opening restriction (trismus), and hospitalization rates. The study includes regular evaluations to track these outcomes and monitor safety throughout the participation period.

Researchers are evaluating a new approach to radiotherapy for patients with glioblastoma, a common and aggressive brain tumor. This trial aims to determine if focusing radiation treatment more precisely by reducing the usual safety margin can safely decrease side effects and improve quality of life. Despite current treatments involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, survival remains limited and quality of life is often impaired for these patients. The study compares two radiotherapy approaches: one with the standard irradiation volume including a 15mm safety margin around the tumor, and another with a reduced 10mm margin to limit the amount of healthy brain tissue exposed. Both groups receive chemoradiotherapy as part of their treatment. This national multicenter trial will randomize patients to either the standard or reduced radiotherapy volume to assess outcomes. Participants will be followed for up to two years with regular assessments of overall survival, neurocognitive function, treatment-related toxicity, quality of life, disease progression, and recurrence patterns. Evaluations include baseline measurements and follow-ups at one month and one year after radiotherapy. Researchers will also monitor use of anti-edema therapy during the study. The total participation duration and study procedures are designed to monitor safety and the impact of the radiation volume on patient well-being.

Researchers are investigating oral disorders in extremely premature infants born before 29 weeks, focusing on the age at which these infants achieve full oral feeding without the need for tube feeding. The study aims to understand the development of oral skills in this population, as oral disorders can lead to delayed feeding autonomy and longer hospital stays, impacting psychomotor and cognitive development. It also seeks to identify risk factors for delayed oral feeding and calculate the incidence of oral feeding disorders up to 24 months of age. The study monitors infants admitted to a neonatal unit where a daily tactile stimulation protocol of orality is applied by nurses and physiotherapists to support the development of oral skills. This protocol involves stroking cheeks and peri-oral and intra-oral areas to encourage oral feeding autonomy. The study is observational and focuses on infants born between 2018 and 2021 who received this care approach during their hospital stay. Participants will be followed from birth until they reach full oral feeding autonomy, with the main measurement being the corrected gestational age at this time, observed up to two months. Researchers will also analyze risk factors for delayed oral feeding and track oral feeding disorders over a longer term. Data collection includes monitoring feeding progress and hospital discharge details, with participant involvement ending when oral feeding autonomy is achieved or after 24 months for disorder incidence assessment.

Researchers are evaluating a new approach to treating patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx who have larger primary tumors (stage T3-T4). This phase II randomized trial compares the current standard chemoradiation treatment with a new method that adapts radiotherapy based on MRI scans taken mid-treatment. The goal is to see if adjusting radiation therapy according to tumor shrinkage seen on MRI can reduce swallowing difficulties measured six months after treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The standard care group receives radiotherapy planned at the start of treatment, with adjustments only if major anatomical changes occur. The experimental group receives systematic radiation plan changes guided by mid-treatment MRI scans to target the shrinking tumor. Both groups may also receive chemotherapy as part of their treatment. This study uses advanced MR-Linac technology to enable detailed imaging during therapy. During the study, patients will undergo assessments including patient-reported swallowing function measured six months after treatment using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory. Researchers will also monitor acute and late side effects for up to five years after chemoradiation. The trial includes safety monitoring and statistical review of interim data to ensure appropriate sample size. Participation involves regular clinical visits, imaging, and questionnaires to track treatment effects and quality of life.