Influence of dental treatment in place on quality of life in oral cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess, in the population of patients with oral cancer treatment, the influence on the quality of life of two protocols of dental treatment: not ruled hospital treatment versus ruled hospital treatment. Matrial and METHODS: A quasi-experimental approach justified on ethical grounds was used. A total of 41 patients were included in the control group (not ruled treatment outpatient health center) and 40 in the experimental group (ruled hospital treatment). A total of 14 questions to both groups were conducted in three stages: before starting cancer treatment, during treatment and after treatment. the proportions of positive responses in groups and different times were compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS: Based on similar situations during cancer treatment were identified as six issues favorable to the experimental group difference. This number rose to nine after finishing oncological treatment. CONCLUSIONS: From our data we can confirm that planned dental treatment performed during the oral cancer treatment produces an improvement in the quality of life in patients with oral cancer

Evolution of oral health in oral cancer patients with and without dental treatment in place: Before, during and after cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the influence of two dental treatment protocols, outpatient non-regulated treatment versus supervised hospital treatment, on the oral health of patients undergoing oral cancer (only radiochemotherapy treatment, not surgical) treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study used a quasi-experimental approach justified on ethical grounds. A total of 41 patients were included in the control group (outpatient non-regulated treatment) and 40 patients in the experimental group (in-hospital supervised treatment). The patients were treated only with chemotherapy (not surgical treatment was made) for oral cancer. This decision was taken by the oncology committee of the hospital without being influenced by this study. Data regarding plaque index, daily brushing habits, appearance of new cavities, need for extractions, appearance of candidiasis and use of prosthetics in both groups were collected at three points throughout the study: before starting cancer treatment, during treatment and after treatment. The values obtained using the Student's t-test and chi-squared were compared. RESULTS: Based on similar patient backgrounds, throughout cancer treatment the intervention under study resulted in a decrease in plaque index, necessary extractions, and incidence of decay, as well as an increase in daily brushing among other improvements in oral health observed in the experimental group versus the control group. CONCLUSIONS: From our data, we can confirm that supervised dental treatment performed during oral cancer treatment produced an improvement in the oral health of patients with oral cancer. Key words:Oral cancer, dental treatment, quality of life, oncology, dentistry.