Management of oral complications associated with cancer therapy in pediatric patients

Treatment for childhood malignancies has improved markedly in recent years. However, radiation and chemotherapy are often associated with morbidity involving oral tissues. Complications include mucositis, infection, xerostomia, and gingival bleeding. Children often acquire additional long-term sequelae due to potential impairment of growth and development. Management of oral complications has routinely consisted of multi-agent topical mouthrinses; oral and intravenous agents are also prescribed depending on the nature and severity of complications. The efficacy of multi-agent topical regimens is difficult to assess and long-term studies supporting such treatment are not available. Consequently, use of multiagent mouthrinses is declining in favor of 0.12 percent chlorhexidine rinse. In children, appropriate management and prevention of oral complications are essential and require that dental care be integrated with cancer treatment.