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PATIENT'S GUIDE > COMPLICATIONS
 

Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You


 


Oral Complications of Cancer and Cancer Therapy

Oral complications are common in cancer patients, especially those with head and neck cancer. These articles describe oral complications caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy and various methods of prevention and treatment. The information on oral complications of cancer and cancer therapy is written for health professionals by cancer experts, from the National Cancer Institute.


 

Diet and the Cancer Patient
Many people with cancer experience eating problems. This booklet is divided into three parts.

Part One
The building-up diet, is a diet high in energy and protein and has been designed specifically for people with cancer who have lost or are losing weight or can only manage to eat a little.

Part Two
Eating problems, has helpful hints for people with cancer who have temporary eating problems caused by their disease or treatment. For example, you may be feeling sick, have mouth ulcers or be too tired to cook a normal meal.

Part Three
A healthy eating guide, is for people with cancer who do not have eating or weight loss problems.


 


Nausea and Vomiting (PDQ®): Supportive Care - Patients

This patient summary on nausea and vomiting is adapted from the summary written for health professionals by cancer experts. Nausea and vomiting are two of the most upsetting side effects for cancer patients. This brief summary describes nausea and vomiting, their causes, and treatment.


 
Managing Side Effects
Constipation can be a major side effect of cancer therapies. If not treated, it can lead to more serious problems. Visit the Managing Side Effects Center on cancerpage.com for what you need to know about constipation, hair loss, anemia, fatigue, skin problems, infections, dizziness, and many other topics.

 


Fatigue: What a Patient Needs to Know

Fatigue is the most common symptom associated with cancer and cancer treatment. For many patients, fatigue can have a profound negative effect on quality of lives. It can impact one's sense of well being, ability to perform daily activities, relationships with family and friends, ability to cope with the illness as well as withstand the treatment.


 
Swallowing Problems:
Evaluation and Management of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer

Presented by Joy E. Gaziano, MA, CCC-SLP, Lecturer at the University of South Florida College of Medicine
An excellent paper that reviews the normal anatomy and physiology of swallowing, swallowing deficits related to head and neck cancer, evaluation methods and treatment strategies for management of physical and psychosocial effects of dysphagia.

The file is in Adobe Acrobat's PDF format and you will need to have Acrobat Reader in order to view it. The reader is free from Adobe.


 
Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia) After Head and Neck Cancer

Dysphagia and Dysphonia following Organ Preservation for Head & Neck Cancer Treatment
ASHA Convention 2007 

Swallowing Problems After Head and Neck Cancer: Benefits of Speech-Language Pathology Services

Supporting Persons with Chronic Communication Limitations: Head & Neck Cancer 
ASHA Convention 2007 

Trismus:  Diagnosis and Management Considerations for the Speech Pathologist
 ASHA Convention 2006


 
Web Whispers
For those who are facing larynx cancer and have questions about treatments, surgery, recovery, and what life is like after a laryngectomy, you have the opportunity to find the answers here, while you are 'singing in the rain'.

 
Care of the Mouth and Teeth
Treatment of children for cancer causes changes in the bio-environment of the mouth, making it more susceptible to oral infections and tooth decay. Development of teeth is sometimes adversely affected by radiation and intensive chemotherapy protocols.

Oral infections and tooth decay during chemotherapy can usually be prevented by antibacterial mouth washes and careful, frequent teeth cleanings. Getting healthy kids to brush twice a day requires diligent parents. Getting a prednisone-laced child to carefully wash and rinse his mouth after every meal, well, that can be very difficult.

Dr. Mark, a dentist who is the parent of a young boy with ALL, is the professional advisor. His procedures for home care are both dentist- and child- approved. Dental visits and long term effects of treatment are also discussed.

 
What causes trismus?

Trismus is caused by damage to the muscles used for chewing. During surgery, trauma, or radiation therapy there is commonly secondary damage to the areas around the tumor site. As this damage heals, the body forms scar tissue at the site. As this scar tissue ages it becomes less flexible. These changes result in the limited jaw motion that is identified with trismus.