Prevalence, complications and dental management of the oral cancer in the pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of childhood malignancy is greatest in the 1(st) year of life, with the second peak to be found at 2-3 years of age. The aim for the study was to investigate the incidence and nature of oral problems occurring in a population of child cancer patients; the other aim was to assess the dental management of the treatment undergoing children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All child patients between 2 and 15 years old were admitted to the medical hospital for the treatment of newly diagnosed oral cancer over a period of 1 year were included in the study. Hundred children, 50 males and 50 females were examined in the study. Out of the 100 children, 65 children who confirmed; with the diagnosis of oral cancer were included in the study. RESULTS: Twenty children were found to have untreated dental caries at their initial dental screening; five children required dental extractions before chemotherapy. Fifty of the children in the study group did develop oral problems at some stage after their admission to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The delay before diagnosis varies from few weeks to approximately 10 months. Children seem particularly susceptible to the stomatotoxic effects of chemotherapy, and therefore, warrant special attention in preventing and treating these problems.