Oral complications and dental care in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract

Acute leukaemia is the most common type of childhood cancer, the acute lymphoblastic type accounting for the majority of cases. Children affected by leukaemia receive various forms of treatments including chemotherapeutic agents and stem cell transplants. Leukaemia and its treatment can directly or indirectly affect oral health and further dental treatments. The oral complications include mucositis, opportunistic infections, gingival inflammation and bleeding, xerostomia and carious lesions. An additional consideration in children is the impact of the treatments on the developing dentition and on orofacial growth. The aim of this review is to describe the oral complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and the methods of prevention and management before, during and after the cancer treatment.

Effects of a Probiotic Milk Drink on Salivary Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the Induction Phase

“…This malignancy is followed by anomalously shaped leukocytes. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia [2]. ALL accounts for 75% of all acute leukemia [3].…”

Patient and family management of mucositis in children and adolescents with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia undergoing chemotherapy in Qatar: A narrative review

“…[6,8] Cancer treatments also have an impact on children's "developing dentition and on orofacial growth". [6] Other adverse consequences of antineoplastic treatment may be fungal infection of the mouth, oral discomfort and pain, poor nutrition, increased hospital stays, and increased cost of treatment. [9] Oral mucositis (OM) is defined as the "change in mucosal membrane of oral cavity secondary to chemotherapy, radiation, and hematopoietic cell transplantation, whether alone or in combination, that causes serious and life threatening side effects in many patients" (p. 405).…”

“…[7] Although treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy is proven to be highly effective, it can cause localized to generalized erythema, lesions, hemorrhage, and ulcerations to the mucosal membrane of the mouth creating significant burden to patients and care givers. [6,7] An estimated 80% of children and about 40%-60% of children and adolescents with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy will experience some degree of oral lesions during treatment. [6,8] Cancer treatments also have an impact on children's "developing dentition and on orofacial growth".…”

“…[6,7] An estimated 80% of children and about 40%-60% of children and adolescents with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy will experience some degree of oral lesions during treatment. [6,8] Cancer treatments also have an impact on children's "developing dentition and on orofacial growth". [6] Other adverse consequences of antineoplastic treatment may be fungal infection of the mouth, oral discomfort and pain, poor nutrition, increased hospital stays, and increased cost of treatment.…”

“…[2] ALL is the most common childhood malignancy in children under the age of 15. [6] It represents about 75% of all newly diagnosed leukemias and 30% of all pediatric cancers. [5] Chemotherapy is the primary treatment favored in childhood cancers.…”