Keywords
Oral alterations
Oncology patients
Oncological treatment
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the primary oral alterations and the oral health status of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing oncological treatment, highlighting strategies for prevention and dental management. Methods: This is an integrative literature review that included 17 original articles published between 2020 and 2025, sourced from the PubMed, SciELO, and BVS databases. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the selected studies were analyzed and organized into thematic categories. Results: The findings indicate that oral mucositis, xerostomia, oral candidiasis, dysgeusia, radiation-induced caries, and osteoradionecrosis are among the most prevalent oral alterations. It was observed that unfavorable pre-existing oral conditions—such as poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, and alterations in the oral microbiota—are associated with an increased severity of these manifestations. Preventive and therapeutic strategies, including dental monitoring and low-level laser therapy, have proven effective in reducing complications. Final considerations: The involvement of a dental surgeon, integrated into a multidisciplinary team, is essential for the prevention, early diagnosis, and management of oral alterations in cancer patients, thereby contributing to an improved quality of life and better adherence to antineoplastic treatment.
References
ABED H. Considerações odontológicas no câncer de cabeça e pescoço: uma revisão clínica. Saudi Dent J. 2023; 35(5): 476-486.
ABOU-BAKR A, et al. Prevalence of late xerostomia and hyposalivation with associated risk factors in survivors of head and neck cancer after radiotherapy: a multi-centric cross-sectional study. Radiat Oncol. 2025 Nov 7;20(1):162.
ALVES AS, et al. Manejo odontológico de complicações orais em pacientes em tratamento oncológico. Rev Multidiscip Nordeste Mineiro. 2024; 9.
AMARAL BB, et al. Alterações bucais e qualidade de vida dos pacientes em tratamento quimioterápico. Rev Sul-Bras Odontol. 2021; 18(2): 235-242.
ANDRADE ANG, et al. Principais manifestações bucais mediante o tratamento de radioterapia e quimioterapia em pacientes oncológicos. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde, 2024; 24(2): e14921.
ARAÚJO WP, et al. A importância da equipe multidisciplinar no tratamento da saúde bucal de pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados. Rev CPAQV, 16(1): 7.
BARRETO ACR, et al. Terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana para tratamento das manifestações bucais em pacientes oncológicos. Rev Contemporânea, 2024; 4(11).
BASTOS GLL, et al. Efeitos da quimioterapia e da radioterapia na saúde bucal. Rev Ibero-Am Humanid Cienc Educ., 2024; 10(10): 5363-5372.
BEAUMONT S, et al. A retrospective cohort study of the oral healthcare needs of cancer patients. Support Care Cancer, 2025; 33(4): 314.
BENITO-RAMAL E et al. Prevalence and risk factors of chronic oral complications in head and neck cancer therapies: A retrospective study. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal, 2024; 29(6): e850-e856.
BRENNAN MT, et al. Dental Caries Postradiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer. JDR Clin Trans Res., 2023; 8(3): 234-243.
BUNDUGJI MH, et al. Assessment of oral health and care in head and neck oncology patients in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center-Jeddah. Saudi Dent J., 2021; 33(5): 456-464.
CAIXETA SD, ANDRADE RS. Carcinoma espinocelular oral: alterações do perfil epidemiológico e possíveis causas. Braz J Implantol Health Sci., 2025; 7(7): 05-36.
CARVALHO AA, et al. Utilização de serviços odontológicos por pacientes em tratamento oncológico. Rev Odontol UNESP, 2022; 51: e20220029.
CASTRO EV, et al. Perfil epidemiológico de pacientes oncológicos atendidos em um serviço odontológico de referência do Estado do Ceará: estudo retrospectivo. Rev Bras Cancerol., 2023; 69(4): e-104386.
CHITAPANARUX I, et al. An underestimated pitfall of oral candidiasis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: an observation study. BMC Oral Health, 2021; 21: 353.
DHALIWAL JS, et al. Oral microbiological evidence among palliative patients: an integrated systematic review. Indian J Palliat Care, 2020; 26(1): 110-115.
ELSAADANY B, et al. Rebamipide gargle and benzydamine gargle in prevention and management of chemo-radiotherapy and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients (randomized clinical trial). BMC Oral Health, 2024; 24(1): 645.
HARRIS JA, et al. An overview of clinical oncology and impact on oral health. Front Oral Health, 2022; 3.
HASSANEIN FEA, et al. L-arginine vs. L-glutamine oral suspensions for radiation-induced oral mucositis: a triple-blind randomized trial. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol., 2025; 151(7): 198.
INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE CÂNCER (BRASIL). Relatório câncer de boca 2020. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2020. Disponível em: https://antigo.inca.gov.br/sites/ufu.sti.inca.local/files/media/document/relatorio_cancer_de_boca_2020_0.pdf.
INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE CÂNCER (BRASIL). Estimativa 2026–2028: Incidência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2026. Disponível em: https://www.gov.br/inca/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2026/inca-estima-781-mil-novos-casos-de-cancer-por-ano-no-brasil-entre-2026-e-2028.
LOPEZ-GARZON M, et al. Photobiomodulation for restoring salivary flow after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. BMC Oral Health, 2025; 25: 1468.
MELO BBC, et al. Condição de saúde bucal de pacientes oncológicos. Odontol Clín-Cient., 2021; 20(1): 25-29.
MONREAL AV, et al. Disfunção das glândulas salivares secundária ao tratamento do câncer. Front Oral Health, 2022; 3.
MOURA KC, et al. Impactos da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida e no tratamento de pacientes oncológicos: uma revisão integrativa. Aurum Rev Multidiscip., 2024; 1(9): 321-330.
NAIR AH, et al. Manejo oral de pacientes submetidos a tratamento de câncer de cabeça e pescoço. J Maxillofac Oral Surg., 2023; 23(4): 783-792.
NASEER A et al. Prevention of osteoradionecrosis in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy. Head Neck, 2025; 47(2): 472-484.
OLIVEIRA ACA, et al. Manifestações bucais em pacientes submetidos ao tratamento de radioterapia na região de cabeça e pescoço: revisão de literatura. FACSETE Health Sci., 2024; 3(1).
PADURE A, et al. Oral mucositis in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: six-month on-treatment follow-up. J Clin Med., 2024; 13: 5723.
PAI RR et al. Impact of an oral care intervention protocol on oral health outcomes in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemoradiation therapy. BMC Oral Health, 2025; 25(1): 539.
PAI RR et al. Retrospective evaluation of oral complications following radiotherapy and chemoradiation in patients with head and neck Cancer. Sci Rep., 2025; 15(1): 24726.
PISPERO A, et al. Infecções orais em sobreviventes de câncer bucal: uma mini-revisão. Front Oral Health, 2022; 3: 970074.
SANSON IP, et al. Impacto da radioterapia na saúde bucal: principais complicações em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço. e-Acadêmica, 2023; 4(2): e0742448.
SARDELLITTI L, et al. Taste dysfunction in head and neck cancer: pathophysiology and clinical management – a comprehensive review. Biomedicines, 2025; 13(8): 1853.
SAVO IS, et al. Over-the-counter and compounded mouthwashes for radiotherapy-induced xerostomia: a randomized controlled trial. Braz Oral Res., 2025; 39: e057.
SILVA IA, et al. Impacto do tratamento antineoplásico na microbiota da cavidade oral e orofaríngea de pacientes acometidos pelo câncer de cabeça e pescoço: revisão sistemática. Rev Bras Cancerol., 2022; 68(1): e-161581.
SILVA LR, et al. Alterações orais, prevenção e manejo em pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia e radioterapia: revisão integrativa de literatura. Braz J Implantol Health Sci., 2024; 6(10): 1535-1546.
SOUTOME S, et al. Prevention of dental caries by regular overnight application of a low-concentration fluoride gel loaded in a custom tray in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: A preliminary study. Indian J Dent Res., 2020; 31(6): 963-966.
THREET EJ, et al. Survey of experiences and barriers to dental care post-head and neck cancer in OraRad study participants. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol., 2023; 135(4): 501-509.
UNLU O, et al. Oral microbial dysbiosis in patients with oral cavity cancers. Clin Oral Investig., 2024; 28(7): 377.
VELOSO SKF, et al. Alterações bucais associadas ao tratamento antineoplásico e a importância da assistência odontológica ao paciente oncológico: uma revisão integrativa. Rev Cienc Plural., 2023; 9(2): e31429.
WESTGAARD KL, et al. Oral and ocular late effects in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Sci Rep., 2021; 11(1): 4026.
WINTER C et al. Investigation of Changes in Saliva in Radiotherapy-Induced Head Neck Cancer Patients. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021; 18(4): 1629.
WONNÊ AKSS, et al. Tratamento da candidíase oral em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço: revisão de literatura. Sci Investig Dent., 2023; 28(1): 154-161.