Oral Health Status in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to assess the oral health status of patients receiving two different chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin/etoposide vs cisplatin/vinorelbine) for non small cell lung cancer .We analyzed local and general factors which may influence the prevalence and intensity of oral mucositis in the course of chemotherapy. Methods: Patients were examined before, and after, one cycle of chemotherapy. The oral examination was carried out with the use of a dental mirror, dental probe and a head light. For evaluation of the dental status common epidemiological indices were used. To analyze the status of the oral mucosa we used the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria Adverse Events v 3.0 scale. We compared the presence and intensity of oral mucosa’ changes induced by two different chemotherapy regimens. Results: The frequency of oral mucositis was at comparable levels in both the patients receiving cisplatin/etoposide and those treated with cisplatin/vinorelbine. Statistically significant differences were found in the mean simplified oral hygiene index (p= 0.0038), the impact of removable dentures on the presence of oral mucositis (p= 0.0038) and the pain intensity in patients with symptoms of oral mucositis (p=0.0018).The other factors studied did not show any significant differences between the two groups studied. Conclusions: Patients with good oral hygiene had a lower incidence of oral mucositis during chemotherapy. The use of both cisplatin/etoposide and of cisplatin/vinorelbine had a similar, deleterious effect on the condition of the oral mucosa of patients with lung cancer.