FANCONI ANEMIA - ORAL REPERCUSSIONS AND DENTAL MANAGEMENT

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disease characterized by bone marrow failure and increased predisposition for cancer development, mainly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to discuss oral repercussions and dental management in patients with FA, focusing on the relevance of the dental surgeon (DS) in the OSCC prevention. <h3>Study Design</h3> A literature research was conducted in the PubMed, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases using the descriptors: Fanconi anemia, squamous cell carcinoma, oral manifestations, dental management, and dentistry. <h3>Results</h3> Besides the high risk of cancer development, patients with FA could also present aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, short stature, and kidney and heart defects. The only effective treatment to the bone marrow failure is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; however, this does not prevent OSCC occurrence. Therefore, the DS is important to prevent potential infections and to diagnose OSCC in its early stages, allowing to these patients a better opportunity for cure. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Dental follow-up of patients with FA should be mandatory because DS plays an essential role not only in the management of oral manifestations but also in the early detection of the OSCC that sometimes could be presented as the first FA symptom.