Chemotherapy-induced oral complications in leukemic patients.
The adverse effects of chemotherapy frequently involve the oral cavity, but the severity of oral complications caused by different chemotherapy protocols is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the frequency of oral complications in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with the GBTLI-93 and BFM protocols.


METHODS
Twenty patients ranging in age from 2 to 13 years were submitted to visual and tactile examination of the teeth, periodontium and soft tissues on the day of admission and over the 3 weeks following the first phase of chemotherapy.


RESULTS
No significant difference in the proportion of patients with complications was observed between the two protocols over the 3 weeks. Complications were more frequent immediately after administration of the chemotherapeutic agents, with a gradual decline over the following 3 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral complications occur in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia irrespective of the chemotherapy protocol used for treatment, with a higher frequency being observed in the first week after the beginning of antineoplastic therapy.
de Oliveira Lula
Estevam Carlos
EC
Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil. estevamcarloslula@hotmail.com
de Oliveira Lula
Carlos Estevam
CE
Alves
Cláudia Maria Coelho
CM
Lopes
Fernanda Ferreira
FF
Pereira
Antônio Luiz Amaral
AL
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology