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Oral Complications of Chemotherapy and Head/Neck Radiation (PDQ®)
Patient VersionHealth Professional VersionEn españolLast Modified: 08/20/2008



Purpose of This PDQ Summary






Overview






Etiopathogenesis






Oral and Dental Management Prior to Cancer Therapy






Management Following Cancer Therapy






Oral Mucositis






Infection






Hemorrhage






Neurotoxicity






Graft-versus-Host Disease






Posttransplantation Dental Treatment







Relapse and Second Malignancy






Oral Toxicities Not Related to Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy






Head/Neck Radiation Patients






Conditions Affected By Both Chemotherapy and Head/Neck Radiation






Psychosocial Issues






Special Considerations in Pediatric Populations






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Changes to This Summary (08/20/2008)






Questions or Comments About This Summary






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Relapse and Second Malignancy

Gingival infiltrates, oral infection, and/or bleeding disproportionate to local etiology can indicate possible relapsed disease. Painless unilateral lymphadenopathy can also represent relapse in patients with previously treated lymphoma.

Incidence of second malignancy can increase as cancer patients live longer. Previous exposure to chemotherapy and radiation and alterations in immune function, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and GVHD therapy collectively contribute to risk for second malignancy. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequently occurring secondary oral malignancy in transplant patients, with the lips and tongue being the most frequently reported sites.

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