RESUMEN
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between antineoplastic treatments and oral complications in patients with head and neck cancer. Medical records from 400 patients treated at a cancer center were analyzed. Univariable analysis was initially performed to verify the association between the variables and the presence of oral complications. Multivariable analysis was performed using multiple linear regression to assess the association between the type of treatment performed and the presence and types of oral complications. The medical records of 290 patients included information about the presence or absence of oral complications of therapy, and 199 of these patients experienced oral complications. An average of 1 oral complication per patient was found; 104 patients experienced 1 complication, 74 patients experienced 2 complications, and 21 patients experienced 3 or 4 complications. Oral complications were correlated with tobacco use (P = 0.01), alcohol use (P = 0.006), radiotherapy (P = 0.000), and chemotherapy (P = 0.028). The association between oral complications and radiotherapy was greater than the association between oral complications and chemotherapy, but the risk increased when both therapies were performed (odds ratio [OR] = 4.41; P = 0.004). Mucositis was associated with both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and the incidence increased when both types of treatment were combined (OR = 5.28; P = 0.001). Oral complications of antineoplastic therapy are related to lifestyle habits and treatment modalities. Clinicians should educate patients with head and neck cancer about the role of lifestyle habits in possible adverse treatment effects and consider a more careful approach to follow-up care of patients who are undergoing both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.