Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Related Complications in Oral Cancer Patients -A Review.

Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world. Oral cancer mostly involves the tongue floor of the mouth. The main cause's oral cancers are smoking, alcohol, and human papillomavirus. The more importantly specific hallmarks and features preferably include tongue, mouth, gums. Smoking and chewing tobacco with or without alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infections are considered as important etiological factors associated with oral cancer. The major complications in oral cancer patients due to chemo/radiotherapy include dry mouth, cavities, oral communications with sinuses, and difficulty in speaking, eating and drinking. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment moderate or stop the development of new cells. The most common oral complications related to chemo/radiotherapy are bisphosphonate osteonecrosis, dysgeusia, oral fungal and viral infections, osteoradionecrosis, trismus, oral pain, salivary gland and taste dysfunction, rampant dental caries and xerostomia in oral cancer patients. In severe oral toxicities cases, dose reduction or treatment schedule modifications if necessary, treatment should be discontinued. Assessment of oral status, pre-treatment interventions and timely management of lesions, patient education, and identification of high-risk populations before and after chemo/radiotherapy are necessary for the management of above oral complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]