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Oral Surgery · single question

A patient with testicular cancer received local pelvic radiation. Which is NOT a reason for increased dental caries risk in this patient?

  1. Systemic chemotherapy
  2. Xerostomia from head/neck radiation
  3. Immunosuppression from cancer treatment
  4. Local radiation at the testicular/pelvic site
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Correct answer: D. Local radiation at the testicular/pelvic site

  • A. ❌ Systemic chemotherapy CAN cause xerostomia, mucositis, and immune suppression → increased caries risk. IS a reason.
  • B. ❌ Head/neck radiation causes severe xerostomia → dramatically increased caries risk. IS a reason (if applicable).
  • C. ❌ Immunosuppression from cancer treatment can reduce host defense against oral bacteria. IS a contributing factor.
  • D. ✅ Correct (NOT a reason). Radiation targeted to the TESTICULAR/PELVIC area is anatomically distant from the head and neck. It does NOT irradiate the salivary glands and does NOT cause xerostomia or increase caries risk directly.

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