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Cancer

What type of cancer do/did you have?#

Cancers can be divided into myeloid leukemias Camera icon., herpes virus infections Camera icon., myelodysplasia, myeloproliferative syndromes, and lymphoid malignancies Camera icon.; neoplasms of specific organs (e.g. skin, head and neck Camera icon., lung, breast, gastrointestinal Camera icon., genitourinary, gynecologic, prostate, and bone); and cancers of unknown primary site.

Tobacco Camera icon. and alcohol are the most important risk factors for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms of your cancer?#

Signs and symptoms of hematologic neoplasms occur because of absence of mature cells, such as granulocytes, lymphocytes, or platelets. Patients exhibit increased susceptibility to infections and impaired hemostasis.

Common signs and symptoms of cancer are anemia, pallor, fatigue, weakness, dyspnea on exertion, anorexia, fever, and organ-specific conditions.

What type of treatment have you received or are you currently receiving?#

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the mainstays of cancer treatment. Both types of therapies are associated with severe complications, which should be addressed by the dental provider before, during, and after cancer treatment.

Patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates may develop bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) Camera icon..

What type of medications are you taking?#

Apart from antineoplastic treatment, many patients receive adjuvant therapy for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections, to increase specific cell types, such as neutrophils or red blood cells, and for the prevention and treatment of nausea using antiemetic medications.


Related Pages#