Assessment of mouth opening before and after head and neck radiotherapy in patients with intraoral stents.

Background: We evaluated the evolution of mouth opening before and after radiotherapy of the head and neck in patients using intraoral stents. Materials and methods: Twenty-one patients with head and neck cancer who were indicated for radiotherapy participated in this study. Maximum interincisal opening measurements were performed before and after radiotherapy. Paired analyses of the pre- and post-radiotherapy groups were performed using paired samples t-tests and correlation analyses using Spearman's correlation test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Paired analyses of the pre- and post-radiotherapy groups revealed a statistically significant reduction in post-radiotherapy maximum interincisal opening (p < 0.001). However, only four individuals were diagnosed with trismus after radiotherapy. Regarding the correlation tests, no statistically significant differences were observed between the differences in pre- and post-radiotherapy maximum interincisal opening values and the study variables. Conclusion: The use of prosthetic devices during head and neck radiotherapy can reduce radiation doses in areas of no interest, thereby preventing the acute and late toxicities associated with cancer therapy.

Surgical Treatment of Oral Fibrous Hyperplasia with Diode Laser: An Integrative Review / Tratamiento Quirúrgico de la Hiperplasia Fibrosa Oral con Láser de Diodo: Una Revisión Integradora

This study aimed to carry out an integrative review of the use of diode lasers in the treatment of oral fibrous hyperplasia in order to observe surgical efficacy, healing process, and main microscopic findings. The following databases-PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and gray literature-were searched without regard to the time of year or language. Diode laser treatment cases described in case reports and case series were included, but those who did not undergo microscopic analysis to confirm the diagnosis or who did not provide postoperative information were excluded. Twelve studies (64 patients) were included. Prevalence was observed for females (68.75 %, n=44). In view of the diagnosis, there was a prevalence of focal fibrous hyperplasia (79.68 %, n=51), followed by inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (20.31 %, n=13). For surgical removal, a diode laser was used with a wavelength ranging from 808 to 960 nm, in continuous mode, and an average power of 2830 mW. In general, there were no intercurrences in the trans and postoperative periods and wound healing occurred by second intention, with excellent evolution. High-powered diode lasers can be an excellent therapeutic option for oral hyperplastic lesions. Long-term clinical trials should be conducted to determine laser setting parameters in various oral lesions.

El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión integradora sobre el uso del láser de diodo en el tratamiento de la hiperplasia fibrosa oral, con el fin de visualizar la eficacia quirúrgica, el patrón de cicatrización y el análisis de los principales resultados microscópicos. Se realizó una búsqueda sin restricciones de año e idioma en PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Web of Science y literatura gris. Se incluyeron reportes de casos y series de casos que brindaron información sobre pacientes diagnosticados con lesiones hiperplásicas orales tratados con láser de diodo, excluyendo aquellos a los que no se les había realizado análisis microscópico para confirmar el diagnóstico, así como aquellos que no brindaron información postoperatoria. Se incluyeron doce estudios (64 pacientes). Se observó prevalencia en el sexo femenino (68,75 %, n=44). Ante el diagnóstico, predominó la hyperplasia fibrosa focal (79,68 %, n=51), seguida de la hiperplasia fibrosa inflamatoria (20,31 %, n=13). Para la remoción quirúrgica se utilizó un láser de diodo con una longitud de onda de 808 a 960 nm, en modo continuo, y una potencia promedio de 2830 mW. En general, no hubo intercurrencias en el trans y postoperatorio y la cicatrización de la herida ocurrió por segunda intención, con excelente evolución. El uso de láseres de diodo de alta potencia puede ser una excelente alternativa terapéutica para las lesiones hiperplásicas orales. Se deben realizar más estudios clínicos a largo plazo para determinar los parámetros de ajuste del láser en diferentes lesiones orales.

Clinicopathological Analysis of Actinic Cheilitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aimed to conduct a complete investigation of the demographic aspects, clinicopathological features, degrees of epithelial dysplasia, and malignant transformation rate of actinic cheilitis. METHODS: The study was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020201254). A search without year and language restrictions was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and gray literature. Studies that provided information on patients with actinic cheilitis were included, excluding those with general information on other diseases or other types of cheilitis. Risk of bias was explored using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Narrative and quantitative data syntheses were performed using meta-analyses and subgroup analyses. Association tests were also performed. RESULTS: Thirteen studies (728 patients) were included. The most prevalent clinical signs were dryness (99%), blurred demarcation between the lip vermilion and skin (82%), scaling (69%), and atrophy (69%). Regarding epithelial dysplasia, a prevalence of mild dysplasia (34.2%), followed by moderate (27.5%), and severe (14.9%). The malignant transformation rate was 14%. Crusts, ulcerations, and erythematous areas were associated with lip carcinoma (p < 0.001), and scaling was associated with actinic cheilitis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed several features of actinic cheilitis, providing an overview of the disease. It is suggested that new studies help develop policy guides for the standardization of clinical criteria, enabling more rigorous and homogeneous analysis of actinic cheilitis.

Prevalence of retromolar foramen in nineteenth century Spanish population.

Among the non-metrical variants of the mandible that have been proven to be a key issue for dental practitioners, the retromolar foramen constitutes one of the most controversial details regarding its prevalence and associated variables. Thus, this study evaluated the prevalence of the retromolar foramen and the variables associated with its presence in a large Spanish collection of human dry mandibles from the nineteenth century. Six hundred Spanish human dry mandibles (1200 sides) belonging to an osteology collection were examined. The presence of teeth, the presence or absence of retromolar foramen, as well as its side, diameter, number, and location were evaluated. Descriptive analysis and analysis of the associations between the variables were performed. The retromolar foramen was observed in 184 mandibles (31%) and was predominantly present unilaterally (60.8%). Most mandibles (54.9%) had a single foramen. The most common location was the retromolar trigone region (84%). On analysis of the association of variables, it was observed a strong association (p < 0.001) between the presence or absence of the foramen and the presence of teeth. Moreover, a significant association was also found between sex vs. presence of teeth (p = 0.033), sex vs. presentation side of the foramen (p = 0.028), sex vs. number of foramina found (p = 0.004), and diameter vs. number of foramina found (p < 0.001). This study reveals that the retromolar foramen showed a high prevalence of 31% in nineteenth century Spaniards and was located primarily in the retromolar trigone, suggesting that dentists should be aware of and consider the relevant findings of this study.

Impact of the absence of dental support on cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study identifies the impact of the absence of dental support for patients with cancer whose clinical dental care was interrupted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: Individuals with oncologic diseases were selected from a telephone list of a Clinical Research Center (CRC) that specialized in the care of patients with cancer at the Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (FOB/USP). The convenience sample comprised 280 patients (aged > 18 years) with a history of cancer that underwent dental treatment at the FOB/USP CRC in 2019 and did not receive care in 2020 owing to the pandemic. The participants completed a questionnaire sent via email or a text messaging application. Individuals receiving treatment or who were already treated for cancer were divided into two groups for data tabulation. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Of the 280 patients, 104 answered the questionnaire, and 75 (72.1%) were women. Among the women, 45 (60.0%) were receiving antineoplastic treatment, and 30 (40.0%) had already been treated. Among the men, 15 (51.7%) were receiving antineoplastic treatment, and 14 (48.3%) had already been treated. Regarding oral problems that arose during the pandemic, dental pain when eating hot or cold food or drinks (57.0%), muscle pain (53.8%), and difficulties when chewing (51.0%) were the most common reported among patients. Furthermore, most individuals reported not having received any type of remote dental follow-up, before being contacted by our team, which could contribute to reducing these oral problems. CONCLUSION: It is impossible to say whether the absence of dental support in cancer patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a negative impact on oral issue rates.

Oral metastasis as the first indication of undiscovered malignancy at a distant site: A systematic review of 413 cases.

This systematic review is the first to provide evidence regarding demographic, clinical, and imaging characteristics, as well as information related to survival, of patients with oral and maxillofacial metastases of occult primary tumors. Case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies were included. Ten databases were searched. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. Overall, 353 articles (413 patients) were included. Statistically significant associations between survival and multiplicity of metastatic foci, and between each of the main primary sites and some features of the oral lesions were observed. Some clinical and imaging characteristics can help dentists in raising diagnostic suspicions and also in relating to plausible primary sites. Early diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial metastases can positively affect the survival rate when they are the only focus of dissemination, conferring an important role on the dentist.

Hyaline ring granuloma of the mouth-A foreign-body reaction that dentists should be aware of: Critical review of literature and histochemical/immunohistochemical study of a new case.

Hyaline ring granuloma (HRG) is a rare and atypical foreign-body granulomatous chronic inflammatory condition. Our aim was to make a critical review of the literature cases and also to illustrate histochemical and immunohistochemical findings of a new case. A modified PICO strategy was used. Inclusion criteria were met by case reports and case series with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of HRG, necessarily in mouth or maxillary bones. Exclusion criteria were no access to the full-text paper. The search was done up to 2019, totalizing 231 selected cases in 54 papers. The new case was analyzed through PAS, Azan-Mallory's trichrome, and CD34 and CD68 reactions. HRG is found mainly in the mandible of men, edentulous and prosthesis users, between 51 and 60 years of age, with 0.5-120 months of duration, usually causing edema and pain or discomfort. Endogenous and exogenous theories may be complementary in HRG. Eosinophilic areas could represent particles of vegetal origin, while the hyaline material could be the result of collagen degradation. Considering the material is not always present or even is ring-shaped, we suggest the change from "hyaline ring granuloma" to "granuloma induced by vegetal inoculation."

Use of audiovisual media to enhance patients' knowledge regarding the oral adverse effects of oncology treatment / Uso de mídia audiovisual para aprimorar o conhecimento dos pacientes sobre os efeitos adversos orais do tratamento oncológico

Objetivo: o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia de alternativas didáticas, como a mídia audiovisual, na transmissão de informações sobre os efeitos adversos orais do tratamento oncológico em pacientes com câncer. Métodos: pacientes oncológicos foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo controle (n = 40) e grupo audiovisual (n = 36). O grupo controle recebeu informações verbais sobre os efeitos colaterais orais do tratamento do câncer. Por outro lado, o grupo audiovisual recebeu a mesma informação verbal, juntamente com uma apresentação ilustrativa de mídia audiovisual. Além disso, foram aplicados questionários sobre o assunto antes e após a intervenção da equipe odontológica. Resultados: o presente estudo empregou o teste exato de Fisher para análise estatística, e os resultados mostraram similaridade estatística entre os dois grupos (P > 0,05). Ambas as abordagens educacionais alcançaram o objetivo pretendido. Conclusão: um diálogo bem conduzido pode criar uma compreensão adequada entre pacientes com câncer, melhorando a sua adaptação. Opcionalmente, o uso de técnicas inovadoras, como recursos audiovisuais, pode ser uma alternativa acessível e eficiente, que também pode ser usada na educação desses pacientes. Dessa forma, vídeos educacionais podem ser usados para melhorar a compreensão dos pacientes, a adesão a esquemas terapêuticos e a qualidade de vida, além de contribuir para um melhor prognóstico.(AU)

Objective: the present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of didactic alternatives, namely the audiovisual media, in conveying information regarding the oral adverse effects of oncology treatment in cancer patients. Methods: cancer patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n = 40) and audiovisual group (n = 36). The control group received verbal information regarding the oral side effects of cancer treatment. Conversely, the audiovisual group received the same verbal information, along with an illustrative audiovisual media presentation. Additionally, questionnaires on the subject were administered before and after the intervention by the dental team. Results: the current study employed Fisher's exact test for statistical analysis, and the results showed statistical similarity between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both educational approaches achieved the intended objective. Conclusion: a well-conducted dialogue can create adequate awareness among cancer patients and improve adaptation. Optionally, the use of innovative techniques, such as audiovisual resources, was observed to be an accessible and efficient alternative that can also be used in patient education. Therefore, educational videos can be used to improve patients' understanding, adherence to therapeutic regimens, and quality of life and contribute to a better prognosis.(AU)

Unusual intraoral cancer with unexpected outcome in a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum: An alert for antineoplastic treatment.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal disorder characterized by extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. DNA repair mechanisms are impaired, and minimal sun exposure can lead to the development of cutaneous neoplasms in very young patients. Intraoral carcinomas are uncommon and, when present, are located mainly at the tongue tip. We report an unprecedented case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the floor of mouth of a 23-year-old woman with XP. The patient was referred to the oncologist, and 2 months after surgical resection, she underwent a single session of chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. However, she died 73 hours after undergoing her first chemotherapy session. Considering the unexpected outcome of this case, we also investigated possible exacerbated adverse effects of antineoplastic treatments (especially cisplatin-based chemotherapy) in patients with XP and reviewed the main characteristics of the disease, especially cases with oral manifestations reported in the literature.

Orientações odontológicas aos pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia antineoplásica / Dental guidelines for patients undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy

Objetivo: este trabalho propõe condutas bucais aos pacientes com indicação quimioterápica, a partir de uma revisão de literatura, visto que o paciente é pouco orientado em muitos casos. Material e métodos: a busca foi realizada a partir da base de dados PubMed/Medline. Apenas estudos observacionais e revisões da literatura, em inglês, espanhol e português, publicados entre 2001 e 2019, que abordassem o tratamento antineoplásico e apresentassem complicações bucais foram incluídos. Resultados: dez artigos preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Notou-se que a maioria dos efeitos adversos cessam ao fim da quimioterapia. As principais alterações bucais observadas foram mucosite, xerostomia e candidose. Diversas alternativas terapêuticas se mostraram eficazes, sendo fundamental individualizar o paciente e propor a melhor opção para o quadro específico apresentado. Considerações finais: A participação do cirurgião-dentista na equipe oncológica é extremamente importante, realizando intervenções odontológicas e orientando os pacientes, colaborando para uma melhor qualidade de vida e contribuindo significativamente no prognóstico da doença.(AU)

Objective: This study suggests oral management for chemotherapy patients, through a literature review, considering that patients are poorly instructed in most cases. Material and methods: The search was performed in the PubMed / Medline database. Only observational studies and literature reviews in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, published between 2001 and 2019, which discussed antineoplastic treatment and presented oral complications were included. Results: Ten articles met the inclusion criteria. Most adverse effects were observed to cease at the end of chemotherapy. The main oral changes observed were mucositis, xerostomia, and candidosis. Several therapeutic alternatives seem to be effective, and it is essential to individualize the patient and propose the best option for the specific condition. Final considerations: The participation of dentists in the cancer team is extremely important for performing dental interventions, guiding patients, helping to provide a better quality of life, and contributing significantly to the prognosis of the disease.(AU)