Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Long-Term Adverse Effects on Oral Health of Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The survival rate for pediatric cancer has increased over the past few decades, short- and long-term complications have been detected and studied, and oral complications have emerged as an important topic of research. Here, we aimed to highlight the importance of oral manifestations that may only become apparent years or even decades after cancer treatment. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. We searched articles using PubMed via the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and LILACS databases until October 2023. Overall, 35 observational studies were included, and the results estimated a pooled prevalence of the following dental anomalies: discoloration, 53%; crown-root malformations and agenesis, 36%; enamel hypoplasia, 32%; root development alterations, 29%; unerupted teeth, 24%; microdontia, 16%; hypodontia, 13%; and macrodontia, 7%. Most childhood cancer survivors have at least one dental sequela. Childhood cancer survivors presented a higher risk of having dental alterations than control counterparts. Additional analyses reveal possible sex-based differences that should be explored in future studies. These results collectively highlight the importance of oral healthcare and the prevention of disease in childhood cancer survivors.

Downstream Target Analysis for miR-365 among Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas Reveals Differential Associations with Chemoresistance

“…Surgery is among the most common methods for treating localized oral cancer to remove the primary tumor as well as any regional lymph nodes that may have been affected [ 7 , 8 ]. However, this treatment may also be combined with radiation or chemotherapy to eliminate other potential cancerous cells that may not have been removed through surgical resection [ 9 , 10 ]. New evidence suggests that radiation and chemotherapy resistance are growing concerns within the field of oral oncology treatment, and more research is focused on determining the mechanisms that mediate these phenomena [ 11 , 12 ].…”