oncology 2

Question 1

what antifungal is not said to be effective at treating cancer induced candidiasis and what other options are available

Answer 1

nystatin not thought to be effective
other options miconazole topical gel or fluconazole systemically

Question 2

why might a soft splint be useful for cancer patients

Answer 2

to try and prevent traumatic ulceration from teeth rubbing on sensitive mucosa

Question 3

what virus might become reactivated in cancer patients

Answer 3

herpes simplex
sees painful oral ulceration of sudden onset that is aggressive and slow healing

Question 4

why is increase in viscosity of saliva significant

Answer 4

doesnt achieve the same clearance affect so higher risk of caries, perio, candida

Question 5

pilocarpine hydrochloride

Answer 5

product to help promote saliva secretion in patients that have retained some function
however, improvement declines after treatment stops and multiple adverse affects e.g sweating (those glands impacted too), headaches and increased urinary frequency

Question 6

what makes a patient high risk of osteoradionecrosis

Answer 6

total radiation dose exceeded 60 Gy
dose fraction was high
person is immunodeficient
person is malnourished

Question 7

are implants a possible treatment option for patients after cancer therapy

Answer 7

reduced success
particularly in patients who recieved radiation therapy with a total dose of 45 Gy

Question 8

obturator prosthesis

Answer 8

denture with addition to occlude openings e.g hole into maxillary sinus

Question 9

what should be done if a patients blood count shows there neutrophil levels are below one

Answer 9

give antibiotic prophylaxis prior to invasive dental treatment

Question 10

what does the child pugh score tell us

Answer 10

degree of liver cirrhosis

Question 11

what does the challacombe score tell us

Answer 11

grades clinical oral dryness from 1-10

Question 12

what are key teeth to try and retain and why

Answer 12

anteriors (aesthetics)
canines (strong, prosthesis support)
occluding pairs (function and quality of life)

Question 13

what are patients taking monoclonal antibodies more susceptible to

Answer 13

infection

Question 14

what does the GFR measure

Answer 14

(glomerular filtration rate)
measures kidney function

Question 15

drugs ending -umab

Answer 15

human monoclonal antibody drugs
a type of biologic drug

Question 16

all biologic drug side effects are different but name 3 potential ones

Answer 16

increased bleeding risk
decreased healing capacity
increased infection risk

Question 17

what is the minimum platelet count for invasive dental treatment

Answer 17

in general practice 100
in hospital 50

Question 18

why might articaine be considered for patients with severe liver problems

Answer 18

articaine is also metabolised in plasma rather than solely in the liver like other local anaesthetics

Question 19

drugs ending -olol

Answer 19

beta blockers
decrease HR

Question 20

why cant invasive dental treatment be done on patients who have undergone dialysis on the same day

Answer 20

patients get put on blood thinners during dialysis to prevent clotting
ideally at least a day should be waited before invasive dental treatment carried out to reduce bleeding tendency