Prevalence of xerostomia in women during breast cancer chemotherapy.

Vânia Lopes Pinto,Gil Facina,Simone Elias,Afonso Celso Pinto Nazário,Suzete Maria Fustinoni

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0785

Vânia Lopes Pinto, Gil Facina + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0785

Copy DOI

Abstract

To identify the prevalence of xerostomia in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Prospective cohort with 27 women who underwent up to 16 sessions of intravenous chemotherapy. Data collection was performed at the outpatient clinic of a university hospital in the city of São Paulo, where two forms were applied before the start of treatment and the Xerostomia Inventory before and after each chemotherapy session. Complaints of dry mouth were present in 48.1% of women before chemotherapy, and they were approximately 28 times more likely to develop dry mouth during treatment. It was observed that the use of antiemetics contributed to the occurrence of xerostomia, and the anti-ulcerous were presented as a protective factor. The study identified both a high prevalence of xerostomia regardless of the chemotherapy used and the need to create protocols to improve the quality of life of these patients.

Highlights

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world
Among the medications used before chemotherapy, anti-dislipidemics are used, used by 48.1% of women, analgesics (25.9%), anti-hypertensives (22.2%), anti-inflammatory drugs (18.5%), antidepressants (14.8%), anti-ulcer (14.8%) and oral antidiabetics (11.1%)
Through the anamnesis form referring to the oral cavity, about complaints in the mouth region in the last week before the start of chemotherapy, 48.1% reported dry mouth; bad breath, problems with chewing, tenderness or pain in the teeth, flaws or soft teeth were reported in 18.5% of women; oral wounds, in 14.8%; and bleeding gums, in 11.1%

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. In 2020, the world estimate is 2,179,457 new cases, with an increase of 880,372 cases in the projection made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for the year 2040(1).The disease ranks first in all Brazilian regions[2], and the triennium estimate (2020-2022) published by the National Cancer Institute (INCA) is 66,280 new cases, with an increase of 6,580 cases compared to the 2018-2019 estimate[2,3].Among the main treatments used to fight breast cancer are conservative or radical surgery, chemotherapy, endocrinotherapy, target therapy and radiotherapy[4]. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. In 2020, the world estimate is 2,179,457 new cases, with an increase of 880,372 cases in the projection made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for the year 2040(1). The disease ranks first in all Brazilian regions[2], and the triennium estimate (2020-2022) published by the National Cancer Institute (INCA) is 66,280 new cases, with an increase of 6,580 cases compared to the 2018-2019 estimate[2,3]. Among the main treatments used to fight breast cancer are conservative or radical surgery, chemotherapy, endocrinotherapy, target therapy and radiotherapy[4]. All can cause side effects, but chemotherapy is what most acutely affects quality of life. Associated symptoms are pain, inflammation, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, skin changes, mucositis and dry mouth[4]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion