Using drugs to target and destroy cancerous cells in the body is a form of cancer treatment called chemotherapy. Like most drug treatments, chemotherapy can cause side effects in patients. Mild to severe oral complications of chemotherapy are common, and patients should discuss them thoroughly with an oncologist before treatment begins.
Oral Infections or Inflammation
Chemotherapeutic drugs can unintentionally kill immune cells within a treated patient's body. The loss of these infection-fighting cells can make it harder for a patient's body to fight off bacterial, fungal or viral infections. As a result, patients receiving chemotherapy can develop recurrent oral infections as a complication of cancer treatment. Oral infections may also be accompanied by inflammation of the oral mucosal membranes, a complication referred to as mucositis, explains the National Cancer Institute, or NCI. These oral complications of chemotherapy can be uncomfortable and may cause side effects such as pain or decreased appetite. Oral infections may require antibiotic treatment to resolve these symptoms.
Dry Mouth or Taste Changes
Patients taking chemotherapy drugs can develop dry mouth---also called xerostomia---as an oral complication of treatment, reports the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Dry mouth can cause side effects that include thick, sticky saliva; increased thirst; difficulty chewing or swallowing; or sore throat. Certain chemotherapy patients may also experience temporary taste changes during treatment, which can cause food to taste unusually unpleasant or bland. If these oral complications persist once chemotherapy treatment ends, affected patients should talk with a doctor.
Tooth Decay or Gum Disease
Tooth decay or gum disease can occur as oral complications of chemotherapy in certain patients, explains NCI. These complications can increase a chemotherapy patient's risk of developing cavities or bad breath. Gum disease can sensitize gums, causing them to bleed frequently. Children who receive chemotherapy may exhibit poor or delayed tooth development as an oral complication of treatment, warns Colgate World of Care. These side effects can persist even after chemotherapy treatment ends. Patients should consult a dentist before receiving treatment to discuss how they can prevent or manage these oral complications of chemotherapy.
Pain, Dehydration or Malnutrition
Mild to severe oral pain can occur as a complication of chemotherapy, and patients may not consume adequate food or fluids in an effort to limit the severity of oral pain symptoms. As a result, chemotherapy patients can be at an increased risk of developing malnutrition or dehydration, reports NCI, which can lead to unintended weight loss, weakness or fatigue.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Oral Complications of Chemotherapy and Head/Neck Radiation: Description and Causes
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Dental Team Can Do
- Colgate World of Care: Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment
- Minnesota Dental Association: Management of Oral Complications from Radiation and Chemotherapy
