The chemotherapy treatment in the elderly can affect normal cells as well as cancer cells, this is true for cells located in the Gastrointestinal tract including the mouth, which can be particularly prone to damage.

If the senior patient is receiving treatment in the head and neck areas. Then oral complications can set in. Very often this situation is manageable, but on other occasions the immediate treatment has to be stopped.

Common Oral Problems Associated with Chemotherapy.

n  Inflammation of the mucous membranes within the mouth, leading to infection.

n  Complications such as Dysphagia, or extreme difficulty in swallowing, may be experienced.

n  As a result of oral problems, dehydration and malnutrition may occur.

n  The treatment to the head and neck may cause injury to the salivary glands, or indeed damage the jaw and neck muscles.

n  Such chemotherapy treatment can interfere with the blood vessels of the bones within the mouth, to the point of even causing oral bone death.

Health care givers can identify just which patients are at risk from oral complications, and can introduce preventive measures prior to the onset of the cancer treatment.

The risk of complications arising during the cancer treatment of the elderly is directly related to the pre-existing oral condition of the patient before the treatment begins. Such risks can include

Problems Increasing the Risk of Oral Complications.

n  Tarter on the teeth or broken teeth.

n  Quality of existing dental repairs such as dental bridges, crowns or fillings.

n  The presence of any periodontal disease.

n  Oral bacteria or fungi living in the mouth, can cause serious infection especially if the immune system is not operating too well or when the white blood cell count is low resulting from the chemotherapy treatments.

These are only a few of the complications which can arise orally resulting from the cancer treatment.

For further in depth information go to “ Overview of complications and patient coping mechanisms”  on this website.

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