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KMID : 0352819860020010231
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Kosin Medical Journal
1986 Volume.2 No. 1 p.231 ~ p.238
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Dental care of Head & Neck Cancer Patients
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Abstract
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Oral/dental care is an important consideration in all patients but is essential in patients undergoing anticancer therapy because the complications of oral cavity associated with head & neck cancer therapy are substantial.
The systemic defensive mechanism of the patient is decreased due to anticancer therapy, especially by immunomyelosuppression. As a result of the decrease in defensive mechanism, a oral tissue may respond to mild irritation (example : an ill-fitting denture), and then becoming excessively inflammed.
A greater than normal susceptivility to infection also result from the systemic defensive mechanisms being lowered. This result can curtail the effectiveness of the therapeutic action, delaying further scheduled treatment. The cancer therapy is chiefly performed with chemotherapy & radiotherapy and the complications of the chemotherapy are infection, mucositis, hemorrhage, and pain.
On the other hand, the complications of radiotherapy including mucositis, xerostomia, loss of taste, loss of the elasticity of skin of neck, osteoradionecrosis, fibrosis of the temporomandibular joint, and radiation induced dental caries may follow. To avoid the above complications, the dentist must do an oral screening examination before cancer therapy (ex-ample : observing presence of dental calculus, broken teeth & faulty restorations, periodontal disease or prosthodontic appliance).
Then, upen resolution of all complications, a prosthetic appliance may be fabricated. Thus, the period of hosptalization & treatment fee is minimized for a patient.
In conclusion : the dental oncologist must strive to maintain a healthy oral/dental condition in the patient in cooperation with the chief medical doctor.
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