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. 2022 Apr;15(4):470-478.
doi: 10.25122/jml-2021-0342.

Chemotherapy-associated oral complications in a south Indian population: a cross-sectional study

Suvranita Jena  1 , Shamimul Hasan  2 , Rajat Panigrahi  3 , Pinali Das  1 , Namrata Mishra  3 , Shazina Saeed  4
Affiliations

Chemotherapy-associated oral complications in a south Indian population: a cross-sectional study

Suvranita Jena et al. J Med Life. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Over the years, chemotherapy (CT) has evolved as an essential therapeutic modality for cancer, with oral manifestations frequently encountered as complications of cancer CT. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of oral complications during CT and evaluate the significance of independent risk factors (age, gender, socio-economic status, oral hygiene practices etc). A cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary cancer hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, in which a total of 138 hospitalized patients undergoing CT and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Comprehensive history and rigorous clinical examination eliciting the oral manifestations were carried out. Around 60% of patients exhibited oral manifestations. Xerostomia and lichenoid reactions were the highest and lowest recorded manifestations. Higher frequencies of oral lesions occurred in patients with breast cancer, TNM stage III, and with the administration of the docetaxel. Also, patients in the older age group, poor socio-economic status, poor quality of life, poor oral hygiene practices, and longer CT duration demonstrated more oral lesions. Individuals subjected to a dental evaluation either before or during CT exhibited a reduction in the number of oral features. Several oral complications were reported in the present study. All patients undergoing chemotherapy must receive reinforcement of oral hygiene instructions and dental evaluation before, during, and after chemotherapy treatment. The study also emphasizes the importance of oral health physician inclusion in the multidisciplinary cancer treatment team.

Keywords: cancer; chemotherapy; oral health physician; quality of life; stomatotoxicity; xerostomia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Different types of cancers recorded during chemotherapy.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Patients in various TNM stages and the frequency of oral lesions in different stages.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Oral manifestations among various chemotherapeutic drugs.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Frequency of various oral manifestations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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