The broadening scope of oral mucositis and oral ulcerative mucosal toxicities of anticancer therapies.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common, highly symptomatic complication of cancer therapy that affects patients' function, quality of life, and ability to tolerate treatment. In certain patients with cancer, OM is associated with increased mortality. Research on the management of OM is ongoing. Oral mucosal toxicities are also reported in targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. The objective of this article is to present current knowledge about the epidemiology, pathogenesis, assessment, risk prediction, and current and developing intervention strategies for OM and other ulcerative mucosal toxicities caused by both conventional and evolving forms of cancer therapy.

MASCC/ISOO Clinical Practice Statement: Adjuvant bone-modifying agents in primary breast cancer patients - prevention of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

PURPOSE: A MASCC/ISOO Clinical Practice Statement (CPS) is aimed at generating a concise tool for clinicians that concentrates practical information needed for the management of oral complications of cancer patients. This CPS raises awareness to the prevention of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in patients with breast cancer treated with adjuvant bone-modifying agents (BMA). METHODS: This CPS was developed based on a critical evaluation of the literature followed by a structured discussion of a group of leading experts, members of the Oral Care Study Group of MASCC/ISOO. The information is presented in the form of succinct bullets and tables to generate a short manual about the best standard of care. RESULTS: In patients treated with adjuvant BMA, dento-alveolar surgery poses a moderate risk for MRONJ that ranges between the high risk for MRONJ in patients with metastatic breast cancer and the low risk for MRONJ in patients with osteoporosis. Existing MRONJ guidelines serve as a starting point for adjuvant BMA use. Urgent procedures should be delivered without delay using the accepted precautions to prevent MRONJ. If elective surgery is considered, the individual risk for MRONJ following surgery should be assessed according to common risk factors. CONCLUSION: Prevention of MRONJ in primary breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant BMA requires risk-benefit assessment; collaboration between the medical team, dental professional, and patient; and patient-specific tailored dental treatment planning. The patient should be informed about this risk. Additional research is needed to define optimal MRONJ care for this population.

MASCC/ISOO Clinical Practice Statement: Management of oral complications of targeted therapy.

PURPOSE: A MASCC/ISOO Clinical Practice Statement (CPS) is aimed at generating a concise tool for clinicians that concentrates practical information needed for the management of oral complications of cancer patients. This CPS is focused on the management of oral complications of targeted therapy. METHODS: This CPS was developed based on critical evaluation of the literature followed by a structured discussion of a group of leading experts, members of the Oral Care Study Group of MASCC/ISOO. Targeted agents were identified using the National Cancer Institute's list of Food and Drug Administration approved targeted therapy drugs. The information is presented in the form of succinct bullets and tables to generate a short manual about the best standard of care. RESULTS: Oral toxicities secondary to targeted therapy include various mucosal conditions, gingival conditions, jawbone disease, dysesthesia, taste change, and dry mouth. For the purpose of this CPS, we focused on oral mucosal conditions, gingival conditions, taste change, and dysesthesia. The treatment of oral toxicities depends on the symptom severity. Topical steroids and immunomodulators are often used as first-line therapy for oral mucosal toxicities. Treatment approaches for oral dysesthesia and taste change primarily revolve around symptoms management. Typically, therapy protocols align with the therapeutic algorithms employed for other neuropathic pain conditions, incorporating topical pharmacological interventions to achieve relief. Other oral toxicity requires a more specific approach. CONCLUSION: Management of oral toxicities from targeted molecular therapies is designed to alleviate patient discomfort and optimize treatment outcomes. Collaboration between medical and oral health professionals is necessary for best management practices.

Recent advances in cancer therapy-associated oral mucositis.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and debilitating toxicity of cancer treatments - chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hematopoietic cell transplant, or combinations. OM is associated with severe oral pain and has negative impacts on patient function and quality of life. Additionally, OM has accompanying systemic complications that may have critical implications. These local and systemic consequences can alter cancer treatment, and add an economic burden. This review covers the clinical presentation and course of OM, differential diagnosis, clinical and economic impacts, pathogenesis, risk factors, assessment measures, biomarkers and prediction of OM, management, research advances in the development of new drugs and treatments, and big data.

Overcoming local anesthesia failure during routine dental treatments in children.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthesia (LA) during routine dental treatment in children fails in 5%-35% of first attempts. No data, however, are available on the success rates of subsequent attempts. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of primary, secondary, and tertiary LA attempts (P-LA, S-LA, and T-LA, respectively) for anesthetizing molars during routine dental treatments in children. DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed dental records of all children (2-18 years) who had been administered LA for the treatment of primary or permanent molars by a single paediatric dentist, between 2011 and 2022. All LAs were delivered using a computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) system. RESULTS: The failure rate of P-LA in 1312 molars was 13% and correlated with age (p < .001), type of tooth (p < .001), type of treatment (p < .001), and treated arch (p < .001). The effectiveness of S-LA for buccal infiltration, intrasulcular, inferior alveolar nerve block, greater palatine nerve block (GPNB), posterior superior alveolar nerve block (PSANB), or a combination of the last two was 50%, 87.2%, 66.7%, 63.6%, 33.3%, and 100%, respectively, and was not significantly associated with age or the type of tooth, treatment, or P-LA. CONCLUSION: The optimal choice of S-LA for anesthetizing maxillary molars was a combination of PSANB and GPNB, whereas for mandibular molars, it was IS-CCLAD system.

The Diagnostic Value of PSMA PET-CT in Differentiating Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw and Metastasis to the Jawbone.

INTRODUCTION: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and jaw metastasis might share similar clinical and radiographic characteristics, with both demonstrating FDG uptake on PET-CT. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET-CT is used to demonstrate prostate cancer dissemination. Unlike FDG PET-CT, PSMA PET-CT is more specific to cancer than to inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that it might be a useful tool to differentiate between MRONJ and jaw metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All files of prostate cancer patients diagnosed with MRONJ and with available PSMA PET-CT studies were retrieved. A similar number of solid cancer patients with MRONJ and with available FDG PET-CT studies served as a second study group. All studies were reviewed by two blinded co-investigators (LD, MF). RESULTS: Seventeen patients who underwent PSMA PET-CT (24 studies) and 15 patients who underwent FDG PET-CT (29 studies) met the inclusion criteria. All patients with FDG PET-CT studies showed pathological uptake at the site of MRONJ in at least one of their studies versus only 23.5% of patients in the PSMA PET-CT group (P < 0.001). FDG PET-CT studies showed pathological uptake in 89.6% of the studies compared to only 20.8% in the PSMA PET-CT group (P < 0.001). The mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and the mean uptake volume in the FDG PET-CT group were significantly higher compared to the PSMA PET-CT group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.005, respectively). The interclass correlation coefficient for all parameters was higher than 0.95. CONCLUSIONS: PSMA PET-CT is useful to differentiate between MRONJ and jaw metastasis.

Effect of prolonged hospitalization on the maintenance of oral health: A self-report survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effect of prolonged hospitalization on the maintenance of dental health and to assess the nursing staff's approach to addressing these concerns. METHODS: A survey questionnaire explored changes in the routine dental care of patients hospitalized for over a month. The involvement of nursing staff in addressing dental care was also evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty adult patients aged 18-89 years (mean age 62.4 ± 20.54 years), 27 (54%) males, completed the survey. During hospitalization (mean 58.59 ± 38.63 days) 26% and 18%, increased consumption of sweets and sugary beverages, between meals, respectively; 26% and 20% of the patients reduced the frequency of tooth brushing in the morning and in the evening, respectively, and 42.2% of them, reduced the quality of their toothbrushing during hospitalization. Nevertheless, 95.9% and 93.9% of them were never instructed during hospitalization to limit their consumption of sweets and sugary beverages and 83.3% and 62.5% of them had never been reminded or offered assistance during hospitalization in performing toothbrushing, respectively. The lower frequency of morning toothbrushing was significantly correlated with a lack of nurses' assistance (p = 0.004). In contrast, 62.6% reported they were reminded every day to shower. Patients in the rehabilitation and geriatrics departments reported a greater need for a brush/toothpaste (p < 0.0001) and assistance in toothbrushing (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged hospitalization leads to significant deterioration in inpatients' dental health maintenance. Raising awareness among nurses regarding their inpatient's oral health maintenance is warranted. Providing patients with toothbrushes, toothpaste and educational materials upon hospitalization is recommended.

Clinical use of photobiomodulation for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis: the real-life experience of MASCC/ISOO members.

AIM: To assess clinical use and patient outcome of photobiomodulation (PBM) for oral mucositis (OM) prevention and treatment among specialized practitioners. METHODS: A poll was emailed to the members of the Mucositis Study Group of MASCC/ISOO. The PBM parameters used by the respondents were analyzed using exploratory statistical methods to identify combinations of PBM parameters (patterns) that characterize the variance in the protocols (principal component analysis). RESULTS: Responses were received from 101 MSG members, with 78 providing analyzable data. Most of the responders were dental practitioners or oral medicine specialists. PBM was used by 59% of the responders for OM or targeted therapy stomatitis. Technical parameters varied widely. Most responders used wavelengths ∼650 nm intra-orally. The spot-size and distance from the tissue were the main factors driving the variation. All PBM users noted that PBM relieved pain, either immediately or a delayed effect. High likelihood of pain relief (measured as responder's report of pain relief in 67-100% of patients) was reported by 22% and 19% of PBM users for immediate pain relief and delayed pain relief, respectively. The most common reported barriers to using PBM were financial considerations, time constraints, lack of training or experience and concern about the potential for malignant transformation or increased risk of cancer recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PBM for OM prevention or treatment is in early phases of adoption in practices, facing some obstacles to implement it. A wide variation in technical parameters was found. Nonetheless, responses indicate that PBM provided pain relief.

Management of oral herpes simplex virus infections: The problem of resistance. A narrative review.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are among the most common human viral pathogens, affecting several billion people worldwide. Although in healthy patients clinical signs and symptoms of HSV infection are usually mild and self-limiting, HSV-infections in immunocompromised patients are frequently more aggressive, persistent, and even life-threatening. Acyclovir and its derivatives are the gold standard antiviral drugs for the prevention and treatment of HSV infections. Although the development of acyclovir resistance is a rather uncommon condition, it may be associated with serious complications, especially in immunocompromised patients. In this review, we aim to address the problem of drug resistant HSV infection and discuss the available alternative therapeutic interventions. All relative studies concerning alternative treatment modalities of acyclovir resistant HSV infection published in PubMed between 1989 to 2022 were reviewed. Long-term treatment and prophylaxis with antiviral agents predisposes to drug resistance, especially in immunocompromised patients. Cidofovir and foscarnet could serve as alternative treatments in these cases. Although rare, acyclovir resistance may be associated with severe complications. Hopefully, in the future, novel antiviral drugs and vaccines will be available in order to avoid the existing drug resistance.

Clinicians' experience with topical benzydamine and morphine for the management of oral mucositis: adverse effects and barriers.

INTRODUCTION: Among the evidence-based agents outlined in the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) mucositis guidelines, benzydamine and morphine are advised for the management of oral mucositis (OM) in certain cancer patients. This study is aimed to collect information from a group of highly experienced healthcare professionals in the field of oral mucositis about their clinical experience with these agents. METHODS: A survey questionnaire about the clinical experience with topical benzydamine and morphine to manage oral mucositis and their related adverse effects (AEs) was electronically distributed to the members of the Mucositis Study Group of MASCC/ISOO. RESULTS: Eighty-eight entries were recorded (response rate 25%), and 54 entries submitted complete questionnaires about the drug-related AE (completion rate 65%) and were used for the data analysis. Of the respondents, 44% and 27.7% prescribed benzydamine and morphine to manage their patients' oral mucositis, respectively. Lack of availability in the respondent's country was the common reason for not prescribing benzydamine and morphine (18.9% and 5.4%, respectively); however, a large portion of the respondents indicated that 'another reason' stopped them from prescribing these agents (51.3% and 73%, respectively). AEs to benzydamine or morphine were observed by 25.9% and 12.9% of respondents, respectively, with mild numbness and tingling as the most common drug-related AE for both agents. CONCLUSION: The use of topical benzydamine and morphine for the management of OM varies between countries. While relatively common, the AEs related to these agents are mild. Mitigating the barriers for prescribing them may increase their use.

Methodological approach for determining the Minimal Important Difference and Minimal Important Change scores for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-HN43) exemplified by the Swallowing scale.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore what methods should be used to determine the minimal important difference (MID) and minimal important change (MIC) in scores for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Module, the EORTC QLQ-HN43. METHODS: In an international multi-centre study, patients with head and neck cancer completed the EORTC QLQ-HN43 before the onset of treatment (t1), three months after baseline (t2), and six months after baseline (t3). The methods explored for determining the MID were: (1) group comparisons based on performance status; (2) 0.5 and 0.3 standard deviation and standard error of the mean. The methods examined for the MIC were patients' subjective change ratings and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves, predictive modelling, standard deviation, and standard error of the mean. The EORTC QLQ-HN43 Swallowing scale was used to investigate these methods. RESULTS: From 28 hospitals in 18 countries, 503 patients participated. Correlations with the performance status were |r|< 0.4 in 17 out of 19 scales; hence, performance status was regarded as an unsuitable anchor. The ROC approach yielded an implausible MIC and was also discarded. The remaining approaches worked well and delivered MID values ranging from 10 to 14; the MIC for deterioration ranged from 8 to 16 and the MIC for improvement from - 3 to - 14. CONCLUSIONS: For determining MIDs of the remaining scales of the EORTC QLQ-HN43, we will omit comparisons of groups based on the Karnofsky Performance Score. Other external anchors are needed instead. Distribution-based methods worked well and will be applied as a starting strategy for analyses. For the calculation of MICs, subjective change ratings, predictive modelling, and standard-deviation based approaches are suitable methods whereas ROC analyses seem to be inappropriate.

MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of mucositis: sub-analysis of current interventions for the management of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this sub-analysis was to highlight the MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of oral mucositis (OM) in pediatric patients and to present unique considerations in this patient population. METHODS: This sub-analysis of the pediatric patient population is based on the systematic review conducted by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISSO) published in 2019/2020. Studies were scored and assigned a level of evidence based on previously published criteria. Data regarding adverse effects and compliance was collected from the original publications. RESULTS: A total of 45 papers were included and assessed in this sub-analysis, including 21 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Chewing gum was demonstrated to be not effective in preventing OM in pediatric cancer patients in 2 RCTs. The efficacy of all other interventions could not be determined based on the available literature. CONCLUSION: There is limited or conflicting evidence about interventions for the management of OM in pediatric cancer patients, except for chewing gum which was ineffective for prevention. Therefore, currently, data from adult studies may need to be extrapolated for the management of pediatric patients. Honey and photobiomodulation therapy in this patient population had encouraging potential. Implementation of a basic oral care protocol is advised amid lack of high level of evidence studies.

MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of mucositis secondary to cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND: Mucositis is a significant toxicity of cancer therapy with numerous systemic sequelae. The goal of this systematic review was to update the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of mucositis. METHODS: The literature was reviewed systematically to identify interventions for mucositis. Studies were rated according to the presence of major and minor flaws according to previously published criteria. The body of evidence for each intervention and in each treatment setting was assigned a level of evidence based on previously published criteria. Guidelines were developed based on the level of evidence, with 3 possible guideline determinations: recommendation, suggestion, or no guideline possible. RESULTS: The guideline covers evidence from 1197 publications related to oral or gastrointestinal mucositis. Thirteen new guidelines were developed for or against the use of various interventions in specific treatment settings, and 11 previous guidelines were confirmed after aa review of new evidence. Thirteen previously established guidelines were carried over because there was no new evidence for these interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The updated MASCC/ISOO Clinical Practice Guidelines for mucositis provide professional health caregivers with a clinical setting-specific, evidence-based tool to help with the management of mucositis in patients who have cancer.

Changing face of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: Sheba Medical Center experience-fifteen years.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim is to track the development of the epidemiological characteristics in patient populations diagnosed with MRONJ at the Sheba Medical Center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of patients diagnosed with MRONJ from 2003 until December 2017 were retrieved. Data on demographics, medical background, type and duration of drug use and triggering events at presentation was collected. RESULTS: The study included 448 patients, 336 females and 112 males. A decrease in the proportion of multiple myeloma patients (p < 0.05) and an increase in the proportion of patients with bone metastases of solid tumors has been observed recently. An increase in the proportion of cases in osteoporosis patients compared with oncology patients is evident (p < 0.01). Overtime a higher proportion of patients presented at an earlier stage of MRONJ (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of changes in treatment protocols and increased awareness of oncology caregivers, including referral and consultation with Oral Medicine specialists, there has been a change in the demographics and presentation of the disease.

Systematic review of antimicrobials, mucosal coating agents, anesthetics, and analgesics for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines.

PURPOSE: To update the clinical practice guidelines for the use of antimicrobials, mucosal coating agents, anesthetics, and analgesics for the prevention and/or treatment of oral mucositis (OM). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by the Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO). The body of evidence for each intervention, in each cancer treatment setting, was assigned an evidence level. The findings were added to the database used to develop the 2014 MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines. Based on the evidence level, the following guidelines were determined: Recommendation, Suggestion, and No Guideline Possible. RESULTS: A total of 9 new papers were identified within the scope of this section, adding to the 62 papers reviewed in this section previously. A new Suggestion was made for topical 0.2% morphine for the treatment of OM-associated pain in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients treated with RT-CT (modification of previous guideline). A previous Recommendation against the use of sucralfate-combined systemic and topical formulation in the prevention of OM in solid cancer treatment with CT was changed from Recommendation Against to No Guideline Possible. Suggestion for doxepin and fentanyl for the treatment of mucositis-associated pain in H&N cancer patients was changed to No Guideline Possible. CONCLUSIONS: Of the agents studied for the management of OM in this paper, the evidence supports a Suggestion in favor of topical morphine 0.2% in H&N cancer patients treated with RT-CT for the treatment of OM-associated pain.

Systematic review of natural and miscellaneous agents, for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines - part 2: honey, herbal compounds, saliva stimulants, probiotics, and miscellaneous agents.

OBJECTIVE: To update the clinical practice guidelines for the management of oral mucositis (OM) that were developed by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO). This part focuses on honey, herbal compounds, saliva stimulants, probiotics, and miscellaneous agents. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by the Mucositis Study Group of MASCC/ISOO. The body of evidence for each intervention, in each clinical setting, was assigned an evidence level. The findings were added to the database used to develop the 2014 MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines. Based on the evidence level, one of the following guidelines were determined: Recommendation, Suggestion, No Guideline Possible. RESULTS: A total of 78 papers were identified within the scope of this section, of which 49 were included in this review and merged with nine publications that were reported in the previous guidelines update. A new Suggestion was made for honey (combined topical and systemic delivery) for the prevention of OM in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. A new Suggestion clarified that chewing gum is not effective for the prevention of OM in pediatric patients with hematological or solid cancer treated with chemotherapy. No guideline was possible for other interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous natural products and herbal remedies were studied for the management of OM. Of the agents reviewed in this systematic review, a guideline in favor was made for honey (combined topical and systemic), while a guideline against was made for chewing gum. Additional research is warranted to clarify the potential of other interventions.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid-otorhinolaryngological manifestations: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) refers to a heterogeneous group of rare, chronic, inflammatory, mucous membrane-dominated, sub-epithelial blistering diseases that manifest with a varying constellation of oral, ocular, cutaneous, genital, nasopharyngeal, esophageal, and laryngeal lesions. MMP can progress to scarring in affected areas, which may lead to devastating complications including ocular involvement leading to blindness as well as laryngeal involvement leading to airway obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients that were followed in two tertiary academic centers between 2009 through 2017 for upper aerodigestive tract manifestations of MMP. Patients with significant underlying skin involvement suggestive of bullous pemphigoid as well as MMP with isolated ocular involvement were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were diagnosed with MMP and followed in two tertiary referral medical centers. The most common site of initial presentation was the oral cavity, and all patients had oral cavity involvement at some point. Two-thirds of our patients had complete remission or remission with intermittent relapses disease. Patients with mild to moderate disease showed excellent response to topical steroid treatment. For more severe disease, high-dose prednisone was insufficient, as in most cases relapse occurred at some point of time during tapering down. CONCLUSIONS: MMP is a rare autoimmune disorder that may present with a wide spectrum of head and neck manifestations and, potentially, catastrophic sequelae. This work highlights the experience of two tertiary centers with MMP in an attempt to draw attention to this unusual disorder.

Systematic review of natural and miscellaneous agents for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines-part 1: vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements.

PURPOSE: To update the clinical practice guidelines for the use of natural and miscellaneous agents for the prevention and/or treatment of oral mucositis (OM). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by the Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer / International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO). The body of evidence for each intervention, in each cancer treatment setting, was assigned an evidence level. The findings were added to the database used to develop the 2014 MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines. Based on the evidence level, the following guidelines were determined: Recommendation, Suggestion, and No Guideline Possible. RESULTS: A total of 78 papers were identified within the scope of this section, out of which 29 were included in this part, and were analyzed with 27 previously reviewed studies. A new Suggestion was made for oral glutamine for the prevention of OM in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients receiving radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy. The previous Recommendation against the use of parenteral glutamine for the prevention of OM in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients was re-established. A previous Suggestion for zinc to prevent OM in H&N cancer patients treated with radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy was reversed to No Guideline Possible. No guideline was possible for other interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Of the vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements studied for the management of OM, the evidence supports a Recommendation against parenteral glutamine in HSCT patients and a Suggestion in favor of oral glutamine in H&N cancer patients for the management of OM.

Role of oral examination in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: A safe and simple way to detect light chain amyloidosis.

OBJECTIVE: Up to 30% of multiple myeloma (MM) patients have subclinical amyloid deposits. These patients are under-recognized and are more susceptible to drug toxicity, bleeding and death. Early diagnosis and adjustment of treatment are crucial. Biopsies of oral mucosa might be a potentially useful diagnostic tool. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics at presentation of oral amyloidosis in a large cohort of MM patients. METHODS: The prevalence and characteristics of oral amyloidosis in a large cohort of MM patients who were referred for oral evaluation before and during bisphosphonate therapy were assessed, retrospectively. RESULTS: Among 212 patients analysed, 13 (6%) were diagnosed with concomitant light chain (AL) amyloidosis. In 54% (n = 7), lesions in the oral cavity compatible with amyloid deposition were detected by examination. CONCLUSIONS: The salient feature of this study is the high prevalence of oral manifestations among MM patients with amyloidosis. These results highlight the value of routine oral cavity examination and biopsy as a safe and simple method for detecting light chain amyloidosis.

Does age matter? A comparison of health-related quality of life issues of adolescents and young adults with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) concerns of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 14-25 years were compared with those of older adults (26-60 years) with cancer. METHODS: AYAs and older adults receiving curative intent treatment or supportive palliative care for cancer were recruited from eight research centres across Europe. Participants used a rating scale to score the relevance and importance of a list of 77 issues covering 10 areas of HRQoL concern: symptoms; activity restrictions; social; emotional; body image; self-appraisals; outlook on life; lifestyle; treatment-related and life beyond treatment. RESULTS: HRQoL issues were reviewed by 33 AYAs and 25 older adults. Several issues were recognised as relevant and important across all age groups: symptoms, emotional impact, outlook on life, lifestyle and treatment-related. A number of issues were more relevant or important to AYAs including interrupted education, greater motivation to achieve academic goals, increased maturity, boredom, fertility and change in living situation. CONCLUSION: While there is overlap in several of the HRQoL concerns across the age span, it is important that HRQoL measures used with AYAs capture the diverse and unique psychosocial aspects of this developmental stage.