Chemotherapy
Patients & Caregivers
You’re about to start chemotherapy, currently undergoing chemotherapy, or have already completed chemotherapy. Are you looking for information to help you better understand what this means? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
While chemotherapy differs in terms of the type of drug or drugs and how it is delivered, it essentially refers to medications given to patients who have cancer to either kill cancer cells or prevent them from reproducing or allow greater effectiveness of other modalities.
Chemotherapy may be delivered by medical oncology teams via pill form or through an IV. It is typically given in a combined routine with other medications, with the goal that each drug maximizes its benefit in getting rid of cancer yet together the side effects are decreased. Routine medication plans are based on long-term studies done at major cancer centers and are selected based on efficacy and safety.
Drugs typically attack cancer cells which are rapidly reproducing. A problem with drug treatments is that healthy cells which by their nature rapidly reproduce may also be affected, such as reproductive cells or lining surface cells. Which explains why mucosa or blood cells may be impacted. People undergoing chemotherapy may have significantly lower numbers of platelets, small blood cell pieces, and white blood cells which may impact clotting or the ability to fight infection.
Timing of routine medication plans Patients will have a schedule to receive chemotherapy, along with break times to allow recovery of normal tissue. The time where the chemotherapy has had the strongest effect on the tissue is called the “nadir” and typically the lowest blood values are seen at this time. Dentists should work closely with medical oncology teams to determine when the patient is out of the nadir, as their ability to respond to dental treatment may be better.
Bisphosphonates are a form of chemotherapy that may be given to individuals with the risk of or presence of cancer cells that have spread in the bone. When given through an IV, it increases the risk for medication-related osteonecrosis, the death of cells within the bone.
Following chemotherapy, routine preventive dental care can be restarted to maximize oral health. While less common, secondary cancers may occur which means a complete oral exam should be performed at each visit.
For more information about chemotherapy and oral health, see these resources:
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Chemotherapy and Your Mouth - National Institutes of Health
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Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Dental Team Can Do- National Institutes of Health
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Cancer Treatment & Oral Health - National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
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Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist BEFORE Cancer Treatment (Illustrative Booklet)
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Taking Care of Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment - Mouth Healthy
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How to Care for Your Mouth During Active Chemotherapy - International Society of Oral Oncology
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Importance of Oral Health Throughout Cancer Treatment - National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
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How cancer affects oral health - Delta Dental
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Oncology Pocket Guide to Oral Health - National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
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Oral Complications of Cancer Care - National Cancer Institute
You may wish to learn more about:
More information regarding the following topics will be coming soon:
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Mucositis
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Osteonecrosis
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Importance of good oral health before, during, and after cancer care
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information on the Dental Oncology Knowledge Center of Rhode Island, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other external materials are for informational purposes only. The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island does not provide medical advice. The information on this website is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.