Abstract

PAIVA, Monique Danyelle Emiliano Batista et al. Oral complications of cancer therapy. Arq. Odontol. [online]. 2010, vol.46, n.1, pp. 48-55. ISSN 1516-0939.

In patients with cancer who have undergone antineoplastic therapy, the development of acute or late oral complications are common. These disturbances in the integrity and function of the buccal cavity are due to the fact that radiotherapy and chemotherapy are incapable of destroying tumoral cells without injuring normal cells. Such oral complications include mucositis; xerostomia; taste alterations; fungal, bacterial, and herpetic infections; radiation caries; radiation induced trismus; osteoradionecrosis; neurotoxicity; and, in pediatric patients, the compromising of bone, muscle and dental formations. These effects commonly vary from patient to patient, depending on the variables of treatment, patient, and tumor. The aim of the present work was to present the current oral complications of antineoplastic therapy as well as the importance of the dentists' performance in this context. Through a review of the literature, it was possible to conclude that it is essential that oncologic patients be accompanied before, during, and after therapy so that the dentists can elaborate a plan of appropriate treatment for patient needs in such a way as to prevent or control the occurrence of these complications.

Keywords : Radiotherapy-Adverse effects; Drug therapy-Adverse effects; Antineoplastic protocols; Neoplasms.