Managing the oral sequelae of cancer therapy.
Patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy and/or head and neck radiotherapy frequently experience treatment side effects. Oral complications are among the most common problems associated with these therapies. These sequelae include mucositis, oral hemorrhage, infection, and xerostomia (dry mouth). Occasionally, oral complications are so severe that the cancer treatment must be reduced or even terminated. By providing comprehensive care, nurses work to help prevent, identify, and manage these oral sequelae, and thus maximize quality of life. Limiting the effects of oral sequelae increases patient adherence to treatment protocols, improves the quality of life, and increases the odds of long-term survival.
Sadler
Georgia Robins
GR
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
Stoudt
Annemarie
A
Fullerton
Judith T
JT
Oberle-Edwards
Loree K
LK
Nguyen
Quoc
Q
Epstein
Joel B
JB
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011321:Primary Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents