Oral care and protocols in cancer patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20221820Keywords:
Oral, Care, Cancer, Patient, ProtocolAbstract
With the passage of time and new emerging techniques significant progression is seen in cancer treatment modalities. However, oral care of the cancer patients is of utmost importance since chemotherapy notably impacts the oral health of cancer patient’s majorly causing mucositis and various other infections. Oral problems are more common in cancer patients, and 80% of patients suffer from them. These oral problems have a profound effect on a patient's ability to eat, drink, and speak and are often accompanied by pain, which can lead to increased demand for systemic drugs, longer hospital stays, and an increased risk of life-threatening system infections. The aim of this research is to review the available information about the oral care and protocols in cancer patients. The dentist's role in the integrated care of oncology patient includes ongoing involvement from diagnosis to end. Various protocols are advised in literature which include the use of dental floss and mouthwash, prior to chemotherapy in oral hygiene procedures, requirement of comprehensive clinical and radiographic examinations when assessing oral health, antibiotic prophylaxis, extractions and certain other protocols. Basic oral care which refers to actions that should be included in a general patient care throughout cancer treatment to maintain good oral health and reduce the risk of local inflammation and infection, is essential for cancer patients. However, future clinical and comprehensive research into oral care protocols among cancer patients could further strengthen the literature and highlight the role of the dentist in this regard.
Metrics
References
Collins FS, Varmus H. A new initiative on precision medicine. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(9):793-5.
Yoshizawa K, Moroi A, Iguchi R, Yokomichi H, Ogihara S, Watanabe K, et al. Association between the point-rating system used for oral health and the prevalence of Gram-negative bacilli in hematological inpatients: A retrospective cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(22):e26111.
Dakkak I. The association between cancer treatments and oral diseases. Evid Based Dent. 2011;12(1):15-6.
Oliveira MCQ, Lebre MBNF, Santos-Silva AR, Rivera C, Vargas PA, Lopes MA, et al. Dental treatment needs in hospitalized cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study. Support Care Cancer. 2020;28(7):3451-7.
Hong CHL, Gueiros LA, Fulton JS, Cheng KKF, Kandwal A, Galiti D, et al. Systematic review of basic oral care for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines. Support Care Cancer. 2019;27(10):3949-67.
Elad S, Raber-Durlacher JE, Brennan MT, Saunders DP, Mank AP, Zadik Y, et al. Basic oral care for hematology-oncology patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: a position paper from the joint task force of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). Support Care Cancer. 2015;23(1):223-36.
Epstein JB, Güneri P, Barasch A. Appropriate and necessary oral care for people with cancer: guidance to obtain the right oral and dental care at the right time. Support Care Cancer. 2014;22(7):1981-8.
Ritwik P. Dental Care for Patients With Childhood Cancers. Ochsner J. 2018;18(4):351-7.
Poulopoulos A, Papadopoulos P, Andreadis D. Chemotherapy: oral side effects and dental interventions -a review of the literature. Stomatol Dis Sci. 2017;1:35-49.
White JM, Panchal NH, Wehler CJ, Bestgen SC, Colón JE, Desai HG, et al. Department of Veterans Affairs Consensus: Preradiation dental treatment guidelines for patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck. 2019;41(5):1153-60.
Alvarez PB, Perez MEP, Carrión AB, García-García A. Dental management prior to radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Indian J Cancer. 2018;55(3):251-6.
Lopez SCP, Wei TMA, Sundaresan PD, Borromeo G. Oral management of patients with cancer. Revista Facultad de Odontología Universidad de Antioquia. 2019;31:178-97.
Zimmermann C, Meurer MI, Grando LJ, Gonzaga DMJÂ, Silva RIB, Schaefer TS. Dental treatment in patients with leukemia. J Oncol. 2015;2015:571739.
Campos MI, Campos CN, Aarestrup FM, Aarestrup BJ. Oral mucositis in cancer treatment: Natural history, prevention and treatment. Mol Clin Oncol. 2014;2(3):337-40.
Esquide G, Nervi B, Vargas A, Maíz A. Treatment and prevention of cancer treatment related oral mucositis. Revista medica de Chile. 2011;139(3):373-81.
McGuire DB, Fulton JS, Park J, Brown CG, Correa ME, Eilers J, et al. Systematic review of basic oral care for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2013;21(11):3165-77.