Investigation of the oral infections and manifestations seen in patients with advanced cancer

Objective:�Aprospective,�observationalstudywasundertakentoinvestigatetheepidemiologyoforal� infectionamongthepatientswithadvancedmalignancies,� andtoinvestigatetheeffectsoftherapy� strategiesandriskfactorsontheincidenceoforalinfection.� Methods:�Thepatientswithadvancedmalignancieswereenrolledintothestudy.�Theincidenceoforal� infectionwithdifferentmalignanttumorgroupsordifferenttreatmentmethodsandthediagnosesoforal� infectionwereconfirmed.� Demographicdataonage,�gender,�bedresttime,�nutritionalstatus,�smoking� habitandthepresenceoforalprosthesiswerealsorecorded. Results: Oralinfectionwasprevalentin�46%�(391/850)�ofallcancerpatients,�withthehighestratein� oralandmaxillofacialcancergroup�(67%),�followedbyHematologicalmalignancygroup�(58.6%)�andother� groups�(rangingfrom�43.3%�to�35.3%).�Oralcandidiasis,�oralherpessimplex,�andoralmucositiswerethe� popularinfectiousdiseasesinthepatients.�Chemotherapyandradiotherapy,�especiallycombinedradio-�and� chemotherapy,�resultedinmoreoralinfectionscomparedwithpalliativecareandsurgery.�Poornutritional� statusandoralprosthesiswereidentifiedasindependentriskfactorsassociatedwithoralinfection. Conclusion: Oralinfectionisprevalentamongadvancedcancerpatientsandassociatedwiththerapy� methodsandriskfactors.�Moreoralhealthcareshouldbecarriedoutforthepatientswithadvanced� malignanttumor.