Research Article

An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer

Volume: 8 Number: 6 October 25, 2025
TR EN

An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate and compare temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc position and condylar morphology on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) images of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and healthy controls, to determine the prevalence and coexistence of soft-tissue and osseous alterations and to explore their potential clinical relevance. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 145 HNC patients and 147 controls that underwent standardized maxillofacial CT and MRI. Anterior disc displacement (ADD) was defined on mid-sagittal MRI; condylar morphology (normal, flattening, erosion, osteophyte) was classified on sagittal CT. Results: Two hundred ninety-two individuals were analyzed (HNC 49.7%). Age was similar (mean difference -3.11 years; p=0.097; Mann-Whitney p=0.0737). ADD prevalence was higher in HNC: right 49.0% vs 37.4% (RD +11.6 percentage points [pp]; RR 1.31; χ² p=0.046), left 52.4% vs 32.7% (RD +19.8 pp; RR 1.61; χ² p=0.00064), and any ADD 60.7% vs 46.9% (RD +13.8 pp; RR 1.29; χ² p=0.018); significance was retained after Holm–Bonferroni adjustment. Condylar morphology distributions differed on both sides (right χ² p=9.6×10-⁵; left p=8.1×10-¹⁰), driven by more erosion in HNC (right 26.9% vs 11.6%; left 27.6% vs 13.6%). “Any condylar pathology” was more frequent in HNC (93.8% vs 85.7%; RD +8.1 pp; OR 2.52; χ² p=0.023; Fisher p=0.033). ADD showed no lateral preference within groups (McNemar p>0.30). Controls, but not HNC patients, exhibited right-greater-than-left discordance for “any condylar pathology” (McNemar p=2.5×10-⁵ vs 1.000). Conclusion: HNC is associated with a high burden of TMJ abnormalities; particularly ADD and an erosive change in condyle; consistent with treatment- and disease-related vulnerability of joint tissues. Providing TMJ assessment into HNC imaging, coupled with early jaw-mobilization and masticatory-muscle–sparing strategies, may help preserve function.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Non-Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Kocaeli Health and Technology University on 10.03.2025 (Project No: 2025-128).

Thanks

This study is dedicated to the memory of Mehmet Uğur Bozkurt, whose courage during his battle with cancer and its many complications remains a lasting source of strength.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 25, 2025

Submission Date

September 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 6

APA
Öçbe, M., Medişoğlu, M. S., & Öçbe, Ç. B. (2025). An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 8(6), 1043-1048. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1785306
AMA
1.Öçbe M, Medişoğlu MS, Öçbe ÇB. An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025;8(6):1043-1048. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1785306
Chicago
Öçbe, Melisa, Mahmut Sabri Medişoğlu, and Çetin Batuhan Öçbe. 2025. “An Underrecognized Aspect of Oncology Care: Temporomandibular Joint Evaluation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8 (6): 1043-48. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1785306.
EndNote
Öçbe M, Medişoğlu MS, Öçbe ÇB (October 1, 2025) An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8 6 1043–1048.
IEEE
[1]M. Öçbe, M. S. Medişoğlu, and Ç. B. Öçbe, “An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1043–1048, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1785306.
ISNAD
Öçbe, Melisa - Medişoğlu, Mahmut Sabri - Öçbe, Çetin Batuhan. “An Underrecognized Aspect of Oncology Care: Temporomandibular Joint Evaluation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8/6 (October 1, 2025): 1043-1048. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1785306.
JAMA
1.Öçbe M, Medişoğlu MS, Öçbe ÇB. An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025;8:1043–1048.
MLA
Öçbe, Melisa, et al. “An Underrecognized Aspect of Oncology Care: Temporomandibular Joint Evaluation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 8, no. 6, Oct. 2025, pp. 1043-8, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1785306.
Vancouver
1.Melisa Öçbe, Mahmut Sabri Medişoğlu, Çetin Batuhan Öçbe. An underrecognized aspect of oncology care: temporomandibular joint evaluation in patients with head and neck cancer. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025 Oct. 1;8(6):1043-8. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1785306

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