Cancer (c) Flashcards
What are the roles of the dentist and dental team in patients with H+N cancer?
roles of the dentist and dental team:
- early detection of soft tissue lesions
- pre-treatment assessment and dentla care
- minimal role during treatment unless special interest
- maintenance of oral and dental ehalth post-tretament
- palliative care
In patients with H+N cancer, the role of the dental team is to ensure that oral cancer X dental disease
X - does not mean that there is/does not equal
What is a H+N cancer patient’s journey with the dentist?
H+N cancer patient’s journey:
- screening and referral
- investigations
- dental pre-assessment
- support through treatment
- restoration
- maintenance and post-treatment management
What should every H+N cancer patient have prior to entering their cancer treatment?
every H+N cancer patient should have been dentally screened prior to entering their cancer treatment
Whta will oral cancer have an impact on?
oral cancer will have an impact on:
- aiway
- upper GI tract
- major senses
What is involved in the pre-assessment and treatment of a H+N cancer patient?
pre-assessment and treatment of a H+N cancer patient:
- medical, dental and social history
- oral and dental assessment prior to starting cancer therapy
- radiographs
- any necessary treatment carried out:
- make the patient dentally fit prior to oncological care
- availability needed for immediate treatment sometimes
- pre-treatment dental scaling by hygienist
- impressions for fluoride trays
- start fluoride therapy for dentate patients
What are the priorities of pre-treatment dental assessment in H+N cancer patients?
priorities in pre-treatment dental assessment in H+N cancer patients:
- oral hygiene and fluoride
-
reduce treatment complications
- avoid unscheduled interruption of chemotherapy regimen
- avoid exacerbation of mucositis
- remove potential sources of infection
-
reduce post-treatment complications
- remove teeth of dubious prognosis
- institute preventive regime
- plan rehabilitation
What are some skin and mucosa effects of cancer treatement?
- erythema
- ulceration
- mucositis
How can cancer treatments for H&N affect muscles and connective tissue?
trismus (less than 35mm opening)
How can cancer treatments for H&N affect the salivary glands?
dry mouth is caused by salivary gland dysfunction
Do you want to be treating a patient dentally during oncology treatment?
no, you don’t want to be treating a patient dentally during oncology treatment
What are common oral pathologies during onoclogy treatment?
common oral pathologies during oncology treatment:
- Ulceration (traumatic or mucositis)
- Infections
- Candida infections
- Reactivation of herpes simplex
What can be made to prevent traumatic ulceration from lower teeth during oncology treatment?
a soft splint can be made to prevent oral ulceration from lower teeth during oncology treatment
What can mucositis be induced by?
mucositis can be induced by either radiotherapy or chemotherapy
What is mucositis?
inflammation and ulceration of oral mucosal tissues which causes severe pain
What can mucositis have an impact on?
mucositis can have an impact on eating and oral hygiene
What is the commonest site for oral tumours?
the commonest site for oral tumours is the lateral border of the tongue
Generally, what should be avoided in patients that have mucositis?
in patients that have mucositis, the following should be avoided:
- smoking
- spirits
- spicy foods
- tea and coffee
- nono-prescription mouthwashes
What may be required for pain relief in mucositis?
narcotic analgesia may be required for pain relief in mucositis