INFLUENCE OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS ON THE STATE OF DENTAL HEALTH

Filon A. M., Vozniy O. V., Kolesnik O. P.

DENTISTRY

Scentific article

Abstract. Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy face a number of difficulties, including suffering from chronic fatigue, poor physical shape and immune system problems. The somatic status of the patient and its complications affect not only the general condition of the patient, but contribute to the emergence of certain dental diseases, primarily after adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and less often after radiation therapy. Patients who have undergone oral remediation are less likely to experience severe complications from their anti-cancer treatment than patients with poor oral health. When determining the existing problem of the occurrence and treatment of complications of dental diseases that depend on the somatic condition and the beginning of chemotherapy, wemust take into account the degree of understanding of patients with this problem, as this will prevent complications and treatment. Object and methods. To achieve this goal, we conducted a sociological study of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at ONCOLIFE Medical Center. The survey involved 68 patients, men and women alike. All respondents were divided into groups by cancer: the first group consisted of 28 patients with lung cancer, the second 26 patients with breast cancer, the third - 6 patients with gastric cancer, the fourth - 8 patients with prostate cancer. The age of women ranged from 36 to 65 years, men from 31 to 54 years. We developed a questionnaire of sociological research, which consisted of 7 questions. The questions provided to the respondents concerned their general illness, special chemotherapeutic treatment, dental status before and after the prescribed anticancer treatment. Results. Our survey found that only 17.6% of respondents visit a dentist regularly. A significant proportion of respondents, 75%, visit the dental office on demand, and 7.4% have not seen a doctor at all recently. The survey showed that after being diagnosed with cancer, a significant proportion of patients, 69.12%, did not change their attitude to their own dental health. 30.88% of respondents regularly visited a dentist after being diagnosed with cancer, among them there were significantly more women than men. The main reason for going to the dentist, according to the survey, was only acute toothache in 47.06% of cases, or acute inflammation of the oral mucosa in 26.47% of cases, after receiving a block of chemotherapy.We have noticed that patients associate this with a decrease in their own immunity, weakening of general somatic health and taking special anticancer treatment. Unfortunately, only 16.18% attribute the significant deterioration of the oral cavity to the appointment of chemotherapy. The survey also confirmed that in 22.06% of respondents, chemotherapy caused a deterioration in dental status against the background of chronic dental diseases, such as caries in 5.88%, chronic pulpitis and periodontitis. 17.65% complained of inflammation of the mucous membrane. Deterioration of the condition of the mucous membrane around removable and non-removable dentures is also noted in 26.47% of cases. During the survey, we noticed that the vast majority of cancer patients 72.06% (27.94% women and 44.12% men) at the beginning of the survey did not hide the lack of interest in our questions, did not read and fill out the questionnaires very carefully. In our opinion, this is due to their condition due to severe psychological pressure of the cancer and severe physical condition after receiving chemotherapy. Сonclusions. Thus, a survey of patients with cancer found that there is a link between oral hygiene and the development of complications during chemotherapy. Cancer patients, first of all, spend energy and time on the treatment of the underlying disease, forgetting the undeniable importance of prevention and treatment of comorbidities, including dental. Survey data also confirm the negative impact of chemotherapy on dental health and possible cases of inflammation of the oral mucosa.

dental complications, prophylaxis and prevention with the terms «oncology»,«chemotherapy».

1. Rapone B, Nardi GM, Venere DDI, Petinni F, Grassi FR, Corsalini M. Oral hygiene in patients with oral cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy after prosthesis rehabilitation: protocol proposal. Oral&Implantol. 2016;9(Suppl 1/2016 to N 4/2016):90–97. doi: 10.11138/orl/2016.9.1S.090
2. Michishita C, Ikeda E, Iida M, Suzawa Y, Murayama Y, Yamamoto M. Thee ffect of routine professional oral care on oral mucositis in hematologic chemotherapy patients. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2015;42(4):463-6
3. Epstein JB, Thariat J, Bensadoun RJ, Barasch A, Murphy BA, Kolnick L.Oral complications of cancer and cancer therapy: from cancer treatment to survivorship. CA Cancer J Clin 2012;62(6):400-22. doi: 10.3322/caac.21157.
4. Peterson DE, Boers-Doets CB, Bensadoun RJ, Herrstedt J. Management of oral and gastrointestinal mucosal injury: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Annals of Oncology. 2015;26(5):139-151.
5. Taichman LS, Gomez G, andInglehart MR: Oral health-related complications of breast cancer treatment: assessing dental hygienists’ knowledge and professional practice. J Dent Hyg. 2014; 88:100-113
6. Lo-Fo-Wong DN, de Haes HC, Aaronson NK, van Abbema DL, den Boer MD, van Hezewijk M, et al. Don’t forget the dentist: Dental care use and needs of women with breast cancer. Breast. 2016;29:1-7.
7. Taichman LS, Gomez G, Inglehart MR. Oral Health-Related Complications of Breast Cancer Treatment: Assessing Dental Hygienists’ Knowledge and Professional Practice. J Dent Hyg. 2015;89(2):22-37.
8. Almendra Mattos RM, de Mendonça RMH, Dos Santos A. Adherence to dental treatment reduces oral complications related to cancer treatment in pediatric and adolescent patients. Support Care Cancer. 2020;28(2):661-670. doi: 10.1007/s00520-019-04857-3.
9. Wong HM. Oral Complications and Management Strategies for Patients Undergoing Cancer Therapy. ScientificWorld Journal. 2014 Jan 8;2014:581795. doi: 10.1155/2014/581795.
10. Chaveli-López B, Bagán-Sebastián JV. Treatment of oral mucositis due to chemotherapy. J Clin Exp Dent. 2016;8(2):e201-9. doi: 10.4317/ jced.52917.

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine» Issue 1 (159), 2021 year, 373-376 pages, index UDK 616.31:616-006.6-085.28

10.29254/2077-4214-2021-1-159-373-376