What Are Oral Complications of Cancer Therapy?
Most people are aware of common side effects of cancer treatment like nausea and hair loss. But many don't realize that more than one-third of people treated for cancer develop complications that affect the mouth. These problems may interfere with cancer treatment and diminish the patient's quality of life.
Head and neck radiation, chemotherapy, and blood and marrow transplantation can cause oral complications ranging from dry mouth to life-threatening infections.
What Can Be Done to Reduce Their Risk and Impact?
The publication series "Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You" informs health care providers and patients about steps they can take before, during and after cancer treatment to reduce the risk and impact of these often painful side effects. The 12-piece series includes fact sheets and laminated pocket guides for dental and cancer professionals, patient education publications in both English and Spanish, and a wallet card for patients with space for the names and contact information of their health care team.
To learn more about managing and preventing oral complications of cancer treatment, please see the publications below:
Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You Series
For health professionals
- Oral Care Provider's Reference Guide for Oncology Patients (also printer-friendly PDF version (219 KB))
Provides a quick reference on treating patients before, during, and after cancer treatment. It includes questions to ask the patient's oncology team before cancer treatment begins.
- Oncology Reference Guide to Oral Health (also printer-friendly PDF version (202 KB))
Provides a quick reference on preventing and managing oral complications before, during, and after cancer treatment. It includes steps specific to chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and blood and marrow transplantation.
- Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Dental Team Can Do (also printer-friendly PDF version (469 KB))
Discusses preventing and managing complications common to a patient's cancer treatment. Also included is the role of dental professionals before, during, and after treatment.
- Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Oncology Team Can Do (also printer-friendly PDF version (437 KB))
Discusses the importance of dental treatment before a patient's cancer treatment begins and steps to prevent and manage oral complications. It includes management strategies specific to chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and bone marrow transplantation.
For patients
For patients in Spanish
Clinical Trials
Other Government Information
NOTE: PDF documents require the free Adobe Reader.