ACTIVE SEARCH FOR ORAL COMPLICATIONS DURING SYSTEMIC CANCER THERAPY

Introduction: Oral side effects related to cancer therapies and dental disease are associated with a legion of signs and complaints in the head and neck region. A wide number of oncologic therapy is carried out in the ambulatory care setting. However, there is little information about the oral health and complaints associated with each treatment in these patients. Objectives: To identify the need for oral care through an active search of oral problems during systemic cancer therapy in outpatients. Methods: Prospective observational study that performed active searches to collect data from questionnaires and from the clinical examination during systemic therapy sessions. Results: We evaluated 312 patients; the most frequent disease in this group was breast cancer (32%), and bisphosphonate administration was present in 76% and 64% of patients with breast and prostate cancer, respectively. Forty-five percent of patients were referred for dental treatment and oral care in our service. Among these patients, 14% complained of xerostomia, 13% had dysgeusia, 5% had a burning sensation, and 5% exhibited mucositis. On oral examination, fungal infections (3%) and viral infections (0.3%) were detected. Conclusions: Oral health evaluation during systemic therapy protocols might help in early detection of oral complications during oncology treatment.