Dental caries and dental developmental defects as adverse effects of antineoplastic treatment in childhood cancer survivors

Dental management of long-term childhood cancer survivors: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Critically review and summarise existing knowledge on prevalence of oral, dental, and craniofacial side-effects of antineoplastic treatment in childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted for studies reporting on children aged 4-19 years treated for any type of malignancy up to the age of 15 years and for whom, at the time of the examination, more than 8 months have elapsed since the end of treatment. Data regarding dental late effects on teeth and craniofacial complex were collected and mean prevalence of each defect was reported.

RESULTS

From the 800 articles identified, 17 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria and were included. A total of 983 CCS were examined, with the total number of healthy controls being 1266 children. Haematological malignancy was the most prevalent diagnosis with the age at diagnosis ranging between 0-15 years. Multiple antineoplastic protocols were implemented with the elapsed time being 8 months up to 17 years. One-third of CCS experienced at least one late effect, with corresponding value for the control group being below 25%. Among the defects identified clinically, microdontia, hypodontia and enamel developmental defects were recorded in 1/4 of CCS. Impaired root growth and agenesis were the two defects mostly recorded radiographically. The effect on dental maturity and on salivary glands was unclear.

CONCLUSION

CCS are at risk of developing dental late effects because of their disease and its treatment and therefore, routine periodic examinations are essential to record their development and provide comprehensive oral healthcare.

Late Complications in Long-Term Childhood Cancer Survivors: What the Oral Health Professional Needs to Know

With diagnostic and therapeutic advances, over 80% of children diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors. As the number of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) continues to increase, dental practitioners become more likely to have CCS among their patients. CCS may develop late complications from damage caused by their cancer treatment to endocrine, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and other organ systems. These complications may surface decades after the completion of treatment. Adverse outcomes of childhood cancer treatment frequently involve oral and craniofacial structures including the dentition. Tooth development, salivary gland function, craniofacial growth, and temporomandibular joint function may be disturbed, increasing oral health risks in these individuals. Moreover, CCS are at risk of developing subsequent malignancies, which may manifest in or near the oral cavity. It is important that dental practitioners are aware of the childhood cancer history of their patients and have knowledge of potential late complications. Therefore, this narrative review aims to inform dental practitioners of late oral complications of cancer treatment modalities commonly used in pediatric oncology. Furthermore, selected common non-oral late sequelae of cancer therapy that could have an impact on oral health and on delivering dental care will be discussed.