A clinical study of oral manifestations in cancer patients on chemotherapy

Priyanka Varma; Manjunath Shenoy M

Volume : VII, Issue : II, February - 2018

A clinical study of oral manifestations in cancer patients on chemotherapy

Priyanka Varma, Manjunath Shenoy M

Abstract :

Background: There has been an increase in the cancer related morbidities; a significant part of it being related to the therapies. The chemotherapeutic side effects are due to low–specificity of drugs, there by cells of high metabolic rate including oral cavity, skin and its appendages, epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, and bone marrow are frequently affected.

Aim: To determine the frequency and significance of oral manifestations in patients on anticancer chemotherapy

Methods: A total of 50 patients attending the oncology outpatient department or those admitted in the oncology ward Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Mangalore between June 2017 and August 2017, hair loss related to chemotherapy were noted.

Results: Oral changes were mainly in the form of mucositis in 48%, the most common subjective symptoms among them were metallic taste and soreness/ burning sensation seen in 45% and 26% respectively.

Conclusion: Although according to the literature oral health status of cancer patients is similar to that of general population, oral complications due to chemotheralpy would not only hinder the recovery of general health in cancer patients but affects the quality of life