Oral complications in children with cancer

Article title: Oral complications in children with cancer.
Author(s): Childers, Noel K. et al
Journal: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology
Page #s: pp. 41-47
Year: Jan, 1993
Major topic: Oral complications in children with cancer.
Minor topic(s): NA
Type of Article: Summary of research

Main Purpose: To report the results of a 2.5 yr prospective follow-up study on the incidence of oral complications in 214 pediatric patients with cancer.

Overview of method of research: 214 pediatric cancer patients followed over 2.5 yrs at CH Alabama. Biweekly oral exams. 50 healthy control subjects. Patients grouped into the 12 most common malignant diseases and one group labeled “other”. Oral complications were classified by area, size and description. Mean age of pts was 7.4 y.o.

Key points in the article discussion:

I. In the previous ten yrs, it seems that the incidence of oral complications in cancer patients he decreased.
A. This fact may be due to improved chemotherapeutic an radiation protocols.

II. Certain groups experienced statistically significant increased levels of oral complications.
A. These were patients with solid tumors, sarcomas and the types of malignancies that had poorer prognosis.
B. Typically Pt’s in these more severe groups received more severe treatment… makes sense.
C. Routine dental care shown to reduce effects of oral complications.

III. Within the leukemia group.
A. AML had significantly higher incidence of complications including candidiasis
B. AML considered a “risk group”… especially for candidiasis.

IV. Various complications and top three risk groups
A. Mucositis: Sarcoma, AML, Solid tumors
B. Ulcers: AML, Sarcoma, Solid tumors
C: Candida: AML, Sarcoma, Solid tumors
D. Gingivitis: AML, Leukemia, ALL

Assessment of article: One huge limitation of this study was that they weren’t able to control for different treatment modalities. Also, most of the subjects in this study had deficient oral health care which effected results. Further categorization and research is needed.