Background/Objectives: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple biomarker reflecting systemic inflammatory status and has been investigated in head and neck cancer (HNC) as a potential prognostic indicator. Its role in relation to radiotherapy-related toxicity remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive evaluation of NLR values in relation to oral mucositis severity and swallowing-related quality of life in patients undergoing radiotherapy-based treatment. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 32 patients with locally advanced HNC treated with radiotherapy, with or without concomitant chemotherapy, in the definitive or adjuvant setting (March 2025–January 2026). NLR was calculated at baseline (T0), at a predefined mid-treatment timepoint (T3), and during week 6 of treatment (T6). Mucositis severity was assessed using CTCAE and the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), while swallowing-related quality of life was measured using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). Relationships between NLR values and toxicity endpoints were descriptively assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: No statistically significant correlations were observed between NLR values and OM severity or swallowing-related outcomes at any evaluated timepoint. At T3, non-significant correlations were observed between NLR and CTCAE mucositis grade and between NLR and MDADI global score. No statistically significant correlations were observed between NLR values and OMAS at any evaluated timepoint. Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort, no association between NLR and radiotherapy-related mucositis severity or swallowing-related quality of life was demonstrated. These findings are descriptive and limited by the small sample size, the retrospective design, and the absence of control for potential confounding factors. No inferential or causal conclusions can be drawn. Further prospective studies with larger and more homogeneous cohorts are required to better characterize NLR behavior in this clinical setting.

Background: Mouth breathing (MB) in children is a functional alteration characterized by the substitution of nasal breathing with oral or mixed breathing. Persistent MB, particularly when occurring during sleep (nocturnal MB), may be associated with sleep fragmentation, neurobehavioral disturbances, and alterations in craniofacial development. Although established sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), particularly obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), is well-recognized and addressed by international guidelines, children presenting with persistent or nocturnal MB without established diagnostic criteria for OSAS may remain outside conventional diagnostic pathways. The multifactorial nature of MB therefore requires the coordinated evaluation of nasal, allergic, upper airway, craniofacial, dental, and orofacial factors. Methods: This narrative review was based primarily on a structured search of the PubMed/MEDLINE database covering publications from database inception to June 2026, supplemented by manual screening of the reference lists of relevant articles and clinical guidelines. The literature was selected according to relevance to the review objectives, methodological robustness, clinical applicability, and contribution to pediatric, allergological, otorhinolaryngological, and dental/orthodontic perspectives. Priority was given to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical practice guidelines, consensus documents, and high-quality observational studies. A total of 79 references were included in the final manuscript. Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that MB may be associated with allergic and nasal conditions, upper airway obstruction, craniofacial and dental abnormalities, and orofacial functional alterations, and may coexist with SDB in selected children. The evidence was synthesized across pediatric, allergological, otorhinolaryngological, and orthodontic perspectives to develop a multidisciplinary care pathway based on the clinical identification of MB, targeted specialist assessment, objective evaluation of SDB when indicated, and individualized management and follow-up. Conclusions: MB may represent an important clinical entry point for the early recognition of potentially treatable conditions and associated SDB. The proposed multidisciplinary care pathway integrates pediatric, allergological, otorhinolaryngological, and dental/orthodontic expertise to support coordinated assessment, individualized management, and longitudinal follow-up of children with MB.

Background/Objectives: Oral mucositis is a frequent and clinically significant acute toxicity in patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer, with substantial consequences for swallowing function, nutritional status, and quality of life. Conventional clinician-reported toxicity grading may not fully capture the multidimensional burden experienced by patients. This study aimed to perform a longitudinal multidimensional assessment of treatment-related oral mucositis by evaluating the relationship between clinician-reported toxicity, objective mucosal injury, patient-reported swallowing-related quality of life, and nutritional status. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 32 of 54 consecutively screened patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with curative-intent radiotherapy, with or without concurrent chemotherapy, were included. Oral mucositis was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS). Swallowing-related quality of life was evaluated using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). Body weight was recorded longitudinally as an indicator of nutritional status. Correlations between OMAS scores and clinical outcome measures were analyzed at predefined timepoints using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results: All patients developed treatment-related oral mucositis, with peak severity occurring during the acute treatment phase. During the acute treatment phase, OMAS scores demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with clinician-reported toxicity (CTCAE) and inverse correlations with MDADI scores. A significant inverse association between OMAS and MDADI composite score persisted at treatment completion (ρ = −0.41, p = 0.022). Body weight progressively declined during treatment, although no statistically significant correlation with OMAS severity was observed. Conclusions: A multidimensional assessment integrating clinician-reported toxicity, objective mucosal evaluation, and patient-reported functional outcomes provides a broader characterization of oral mucositis burden in patients undergoing radiotherapy-based treatment for head and neck cancer. These findings support the potential value of integrated toxicity assessment strategies to improve supportive care monitoring in clinical practice.