Adverse reactions and complications of chemotherapy for tumor diseases

Causes

Let's look at the causes of dental cancer

Oral injuries of various origins. Poor-quality dentures rub the gums; the presence of piercings in the tongue or lip can cause inflammation
Bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs).
Untreated caries.
Inflammatory diseases of soft tissues.
Herpes virus, HPV, Bowen's disease.
Poor oral hygiene.
Hot or spicy foods that constantly irritate the mucous membranes.
Work in conditions harmful to health (hot workshop, dusty room).
A history of cancer of the stomach, kidneys and lungs. In this case dental cancer
is a secondary pathology.

To take care of your health, rule out dental cancer, causes

its development must be monitored. Careful oral care, eradication of bad habits, and regular visits to the dentist will reduce the risk of developing pathology.

Changes in appetite during chemotherapy

Typically, chemotherapy causes two types of changes in appetite:

Decreased appetite, up to complete absence.
Changing the taste of foods.

It is important for cancer patients to continue to eat and drink enough fluids. Some tips will help with this:

Train yourself to always eat at approximately the same time . Even if you are not hungry, take some food.
Often 5-6 small meals throughout the day are better than 3 large ones.
Try new dishes. If you don't feel like eating, eat socially with family and friends while watching TV.
Seasonings can improve the taste of food . Ask your doctor which ones may be appropriate for you.
Sometimes patients feel a metallic taste in the mouth. In this case, you can replace the spoon and fork with plastic ones.
Food should be high in calories and rich in protein.
Move more. Physical activity will help increase your appetite.
Eat liquid foods (broths, cocktails) that are easy to swallow.
Don't drink while eating.
Keep a food diary , write down everything you eat, and note the time. This will help you and your doctor monitor how well you are eating.

High-calorie foods recommended during chemotherapy:

Soups : bean, lentil, cream soups.
Drinks : whole milk, fruit smoothies, milkshakes, drinking yoghurts.
Snacks : beans (black and red), chicken, fish, eggs, grains, nuts, wheat germ.
Desserts : muffins, ice cream, custard, yoghurt, puddings.
Other products : margarine, sunflower and butter, soft cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, milk powder, liquid meal replacements.

If you are losing weight, be sure to tell your doctor about it!

What to ask your doctor?

What foods can you eat?
Should I take vitamin complexes and protein shakes?
How much fluid should you drink every day?
What physical exercises can you do to increase your appetite?
How to properly keep a food diary, what to write down there?
In what cases do you need to urgently contact a doctor?

Stages of pathology development

Dental cancer

Like any cancer, it occurs in the human body through four stages:

The first stage is when the tumor is within 10 mm. The place of formation is the mucous membrane or tooth germ.
The second stage is when the tumor reaches 3 cm. The symptoms of cancer become more obvious. Metastasis is found in one of the regional lymph nodes.
Stage three – the tumor exceeds 3 cm in size. Metastases are detected in several regional lymph nodes.
The fourth stage is when the process becomes aggressively malignant, affecting the oral cavity, nose, and also the base of the skull. Metastases may be found in the lungs and liver.

When to see a doctor?

Tell your doctor if you are concerned about the following symptoms:

There was no stool for more than 2 days.
I'm worried about pain in my stomach.
The belly has increased in size.
Appetite has decreased, nausea and vomiting occur periodically.

How to deal with constipation?

These simple tips help many people:

Drink enough liquid - at least 8 glasses a day. Plain water, compote, juices from fruits and vegetables, tea, coffee will do. Water will help soften the stool and make it easier to pass.
Eat more foods rich in fiber : seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, whole grain bread.
Move more. Physical activity helps strengthen intestinal motility. Walk or bike for 15-30 minutes every day. Ask your doctor what exercises may be appropriate for you.

What to ask your doctor?

What medications will help relieve constipation?
What's better to eat and drink?
How much fluid should you drink daily?
What physical exercises can you do?
When do you need to see a doctor urgently?

Symptoms of tooth cancer

Oncology in the initial stages has hidden symptoms and can develop over years and decades. Gradually the symptoms begin to manifest themselves:

A formation of soft consistency to the touch appears on the jaw, convex in shape, increasing in size over time.
The dentition may become deformed and the teeth become mobile.
Pain sensations increase. It becomes difficult for a person to eat, chew, and swallow.
Regional lymph nodes increase in size.
A man loses weight.
Low-grade body temperature, which periodically rises.
Fistulas in tissues.
When pressing on the tumor area, the doctor may feel a crunching sound.
The enamel becomes fragile and is destroyed very easily.

In the prevention of dental cancer symptoms

may not appear, but it is important to visit your doctor regularly. Identified disease in the early stages provides a better prognosis for treatment. Late stages are dangerous for metastasis to other organs.

Anemia during chemotherapy

Oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body by red blood cells - erythrocytes. Each of them lives only 3-4 months, so new ones must constantly form in the red bone marrow. Chemotherapy drugs attack red bone marrow cells, the content of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood decreases, and anemia develops.

Manifestations of anemia:

weakness;
dizziness;
shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air;
cardiopalmus.

Tell your doctor if you begin to experience these symptoms. Anemia requires immediate treatment. There are drugs that increase the activity of red bone marrow. In severe cases, red blood cell transfusion is indicated.

Treatment of tooth cancer

When the doctor confirms dental cancer, symptoms

which prompted you to come to the appointment, it is necessary to begin treatment as soon as possible. The most effective method is surgical removal of the tumor within healthy tissue. In the early stages of the process, the tumor is removed along with the teeth and part of the jaw.

In other cases, the jaw is resected completely or partially, and regional lymph nodes are removed. Based on the results of diagnosing the type of tumor and the stage of the process, chemotherapy or laser therapy is prescribed before surgery in order to reduce the tumor in size.

In the first and second stages, the prognosis is favorable: 80% of people survive the 5-year mark. In the third stage of the disease, more than half of people survive five years. In the fourth stage, only 15% reach the five-year survival mark. Regular preventive examinations and adherence to healthy lifestyle standards can reduce the risk of disease.

Dental treatment for oncology

Dental treatment for cancer is associated with difficulties. During chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the body suffers from various side effects. Dental treatment becomes additional stress for a person. The gold standard before starting cancer therapy is oral hygiene, as the body will be less able to resist bacteria during cancer treatment.

Recovery Tools

Medicines that reduce the effects of chemotherapy and restore health are prescribed individually for each patient, depending on the diagnosis and the cytostatic agent used. These can be either traditional pharmaceuticals or herbal ones.

Drug therapy is carried out in a hospital setting. Since the liver takes the first blow, it initially needs support. In this situation, the patient takes hepatoprotectors and enterosorbents.

After discharge, the patient is advised to radically change his lifestyle and diet. In most cases, rehabilitation takes about 4-6 months. Experts are developing programs to effectively cleanse the body and protect against attacks by pathogenic flora.

Our experts also recommend taking VIALIFE chlorophyll capsules, which will help minimize side effects in the shortest possible time due to the properties of the maximum possible dosage of chlorophyll in the composition.

Treatment and removal of teeth in cancer patients

In cancer patients, during the treatment of the underlying disease, favorable conditions are created in the oral cavity for the proliferation of pathological microorganisms. Irradiation inhibits cell growth, including in the oral cavity.

The task of a dentist in the treatment of teeth and oncology

the patient is not to harm him. Despite the fact that the body is weakened by a serious illness and no less severe therapy, caries must be treated so that it does not turn into pulpitis. Due to weakened immunity in cancer patients, inflammation progresses rapidly if left untreated. When treating teeth, it is important that the doctor knows the number of leukocytes, blood coagulation status, uses low-traumatic techniques, and coordinates the procedure with the oncologist.

Our clinic's capabilities

Is there really no way to mitigate the effect of anti-cancer drugs? - thinks every sane person. Of course it is possible, but the whole point is that this will reduce not only the toxicity, but also the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy.

Recently, photodynamic therapy has been increasingly used in the treatment of cancer. PDT is a technology proven by more than twenty years of successful practice. Selective chronophototherapy (SCPT), which is based on photodynamic therapy, is capable of activating a cascade of biochemical and cellular reactions to regulate the level of immune status indicators. A special substance is introduced into the body - chlorophyll (a natural photosensitizer of the latest generation), which accumulates in cancer cells. A laser beam is sent to the site of accumulation, capable of synchronizing with the patient’s rhythms, which makes it possible to reduce or increase the intensity of the effect. Penetrating to the required depth, it concentrates on pathological cells, destroying them, without touching healthy ones. Over the course of several months, the tumor disintegrates.

PDT is used not only to remove tumors, but also instead of chemotherapy, unlike which it does not have a destructive effect on the body. The manipulation can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Chemotherapy and tooth extraction

Teeth that cannot be restored are subject to removal. Although patients receiving chemotherapy have a weakened immune system, the consequences of refusing to remove an inflammatory tooth are much more serious than the side effects of anticancer therapy. It is advisable to remove teeth before starting chemotherapy.

in dental treatment

is taken into account, the doctor takes into account the patient’s condition when choosing an intervention technique. Treatment by a dentist during chemotherapy is not advisable, but if there is an emergency and the patient is already taking chemotherapy, the intervention of a doctor will avoid big problems. Removal should be done as atraumatically as possible.

Dental problems and dental treatment for oncology

After chemotherapy, many are faced with the fact that they develop caries, gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease, cysts begin to form, gums become more sensitive and bleed.

This condition creates additional difficulties for the dentist, but does not mean that you need to refuse dental treatment, cancer

not prevent. It is important to tell your dentist about your diagnosis and that you are currently undergoing treatment for cancer. This will allow him to choose the most gentle methods for solving dental problems.

You need to know that when treating teeth, oncology

does not progress and the disease itself is not a contraindication to dental intervention. Dental treatment will remove the source of infection, prevent its further spread, and defeat cancer.

How to Reduce Common Chemotherapy Side Effects

Hair loss

Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, but it is a common side effect. The drugs affect the place where the hair root is located - the hair follicle, disrupting hair growth. Gradually, the hair becomes thinner and weaker and falls out, not only on the head, but also on the face, limbs, under the arms and on the pubic area.

For the most part, baldness is a psychological problem. Women experience the loss of beautiful and long hair especially hard. The following tips will help patients cope with hair loss more easily:

Ask your doctor if the treatment regimen he prescribed will cause baldness. If so, it is advisable to take care of purchasing a wig in advance, this will allow you to choose its color to match your natural hair color.
Choose a medical shampoo for dry and damaged hair. Use a soft comb.
Do not carry out aggressive procedures: do not use curlers or curling irons. Do not perm under any circumstances - this will completely ruin your already weakened hair.
Cut your hair short and wear a hat in advance. If you feel uncomfortable, contact your family - they will always support you. And most importantly, remember that hair growth will be restored after the course of treatment is completed.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting during a course of chemotherapy is associated with damage to the gastric mucosa by chemotherapy drugs or their effect on certain structures of the nervous system. This complication does not occur in all patients, and its manifestations vary in intensity.

If nausea bothers you for several days, consult your doctor. He or she will prescribe an antiemetic to prevent or reduce nausea.

To ease nausea and avoid vomiting, follow these tips:

Reduce the amount of food, compensating for the frequency of meals.
Eat slowly, chewing your food thoroughly. Drink in small sips.
Avoid rough, sweet, fatty, spicy or salty foods.
Do not eat hot food - wait until the food has cooled to room temperature.
If nausea bothers you in the morning, before getting up, eat some cookies or drink a glass of cool, clarified juice without sugar.
For severe nausea, try sucking on an ice cube or lemon candy. However, if you have damage to your mouth, avoid anything sour.
Avoid strong odors: cooking food, cigarette smoke, perfume. Try not to cook your own food.
After eating, don't go to bed - sit in a chair, watch TV or read a book for a couple of hours.
If you feel a strong frequency, take a few deep breaths and try to go to sleep.
Do not eat or drink for two hours before and after your chemotherapy treatments.

Anemia

Chemotherapy disrupts bone marrow function, causing a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood. This anemia is called aplastic anemia.

The main function of red blood cells is due to the fact that they contain hemoglobin - a red pigment that is capable of carrying oxygen from the lungs to other organs of the body. During a course of chemotherapy, the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases and oxygen delivery decreases. This is what causes the main symptoms of anemia: weakness, increased fatigue and irritability.

The body tries to compensate for the insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood - breathing and heart rate increase, and chills occur. If you feel this, consult your doctor.

During the course of treatment, the patient periodically undergoes blood tests. If the level of red blood cells is very low, the doctor will prescribe a blood or red blood cell transfusion to alleviate the patient’s condition.

To cope with weakness and fatigue, follow these tips:

Increase the amount of sleep you get at night.
Try to develop the habit of taking a nap during the day.
Limit physical activity. Don't hesitate to ask family and friends for help.
Get enough vitamins and iron.
Don't change your position too suddenly. In a person with low oxygen concentration in the blood, this can cause dizziness and fainting.

Fragility and brittleness of nails

Nails, like hair follicles, are vulnerable to chemotherapy. From chemotherapy they darken, become brittle, brittle, and longitudinal white stripes appear on them.

The only thing that can be recommended to a patient during chemotherapy is to cut his nails short. If they start to darken or peel too much, see a doctor—this is a sign of a fungal infection.

Dry and flaky skin

Chemotherapy drugs also act on skin epithelial cells. Therefore, during the course of treatment, patients are often bothered by dryness and flaking of the skin, and acne. Usually the skin recovers after treatment, but it needs to be looked after - dry skin cracks very easily, and cracks on it are entry points for infection. The following tips will help you protect your skin:

If acne appears on your skin, use antibacterial soap when washing your face. After using the toilet, the face is not wiped, but blotted, after which it is advisable to use moisturizing creams.
Take a warm shower. Cold and hot water damage the skin.
Avoid using cologne, perfume, or aftershave that contains alcohol.
When washing dishes and doing housework, use rubber gloves.
Protect your skin from the sun. When outside, wear long-sleeved cotton shirts and don't forget a hat.

If your skin is very itchy, has a rash or hives, consult a doctor - this is a sign of an allergy to anticancer drugs.

Constipation and diarrhea

Cells in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract are vulnerable to chemotherapy. Therefore, a common side effect of chemotherapy is diarrhea. If diarrhea lasts longer than a day or is accompanied by painful sensations, consult a doctor - he will prescribe the necessary medications.

During a course of chemotherapy, the patient is prescribed a strict diet and daily routine. Sometimes the human body reacts to a decrease in the amount of food and a decrease in physical activity with constipation. If you cannot go to the toilet for more than two days, tell your doctor. If necessary, he will prescribe laxatives or an enema.

Ulcers on the oral mucosa

In a healthy person, the cells of the oral mucosa are quickly restored, so they are vulnerable to the effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs cause dry mouth, irritation and ulcers on the mucous membranes. Stomatitis causes severe pain and allows infection to enter the body.

The following tips will help you avoid injury to the oral mucosa:

Before starting a course of treatment, visit your dentist to treat caries and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. Remember that carious teeth are a chronic source of streptococcal infection, which can cause blood poisoning.
Brush your teeth after every meal. Use a soft brush. Consult your dentist, he will help you choose the necessary products and explain the method of gentle teeth cleaning.
Do not rinse your mouth with salt, soda or alcohol.
Don't smoke - smoking dries and irritates the mucous membranes of the mouth.
Do not eat hot food or drink hot drinks. Avoid rough foods, preferring dairy products, vegetable and fruit purees and soft fruits.

If during the course of antitumor treatment you develop ulcers on the oral mucosa, consult a doctor. He will prescribe the necessary medications that speed up healing and reduce pain.

Bleeding disorders

There are between two hundred and four hundred billion platelets in a liter of adult blood. These are small platelets of blood that provide blood clotting. They are produced by special cells of the red bone marrow - megakaryocytes.

Chemotherapy drugs interfere with the function of megakaryocytes, reducing the number of platelets, so in patients during the course of treatment, the slightest damage causes significant bleeding. In addition, bruises, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums may appear on the patient’s body for no apparent reason. Sometimes blood appears in the urine or stool.

The level of platelets in the patient's blood is constantly monitored during the course of treatment. If it decreases to critical values, he is prescribed a platelet transfusion.

To avoid bleeding, take the following precautions:

Do not take aspirin or other antipyretics without a doctor's prescription. These drugs thin the blood and increase bleeding.
Be careful when shaving, cooking, using scissors and needles.
Avoid physical exercise - bruises and sprains cause massive hemorrhages in patients with bleeding disorders.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages under any circumstances.

Immunodeficiency

Chemotherapy drugs inhibit the formation of leukocytes in the red bone marrow - cells with which the human body fights infections. Thus, chemotherapy causes transient immunodeficiency.

During the course of treatment, the patient periodically undergoes a complete blood count to monitor the number of white blood cells. If their level drops to critical levels, the doctor will prescribe the necessary medications. In this case, the dose of chemotherapy is reduced, and the next course of treatment is postponed to a later time.

Avoiding infections is quite simple; to do this, follow these precautions:

Do not contact people who have signs of infectious diseases - cough, runny nose, rash. Avoid public transport and places where there are usually a lot of people.
Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet.
Be careful when shaving and trimming nails. It is advisable to switch to an electric razor to avoid cuts.
Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush - it will not damage your gums as much.
Take a warm shower daily. Use only soft sponges.
Never squeeze pimples. In a person with reduced immunity, this will lead to blood poisoning.
If you accidentally injure yourself, immediately treat the damaged area with an antiseptic.

Signs of infection include: fever, chills, cough, runny nose, redness and itching around the wound or injection site. If you have signs of infection, contact your doctor immediately to prescribe a course of antibiotics.

Urinary disorders

Some chemotherapy drugs irritate the bladder and cause problems with kidney function. If you feel pain or burning when urinating, or see blood in your urine, contact your doctor immediately.

Usually, to avoid bladder irritation, it is enough to consume a lot of fluids - still water, juices. However, it is worth remembering that chemotherapy requires strict adherence to a diet, and only a doctor can prescribe the amount of fluid you should consume per day.

It is worth remembering that some chemotherapy drugs change the color of urine. The doctor should warn you about this to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Edema

The amount of fluid in the body is regulated by hormones - vasopressin and aldosterone. Chemotherapy drugs cause hormonal changes that change the balance between consumed and excreted fluid in favor of its retention in the body. This is what causes swelling.

If swelling occurs, notify your doctor. He will review the diet, limiting fluid and salt intake and prescribing diuretics.

Nervous system during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can cause some nervous system side effects. If you notice them, you should immediately tell your doctor:

Pain while walking.
Rapid fatigue of the arms and legs, tingling, burning, numbness.
Loss of balance, falling.
Dizziness.
Muscle spasms, cramps, pain.
Deterioration in hand function: it has become more difficult to lift and hold objects.
Hearing loss.
Stomach ache.
Constipation.

Helpful tips for people with neurological disorders:

Remove or move carpets in your home to avoid tripping hazards.
Screw on special grab bars in the bathroom.
Place a non-slip mat in the bathroom.
Wear comfortable shoes without high soles.
Use a cane.
Buy comfortable shoes for indoors.
Wear rubber gloves when working in the kitchen or cleaning.
Regularly examine your feet with a mirror, ask your loved ones for help.
An ice pack will help reduce pain and discomfort.
When doing chores around the house, take your time and don't overexert yourself.
If you find it difficult to do some things, do not hesitate to ask your loved ones for help.

What should you ask your doctor?

What medications can help treat neurological disorders?
Should I see a chiropractor?
What neurological problems might I have and when is it most likely to happen?
How long will these side effects last?
In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Urinary dysfunction during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may change the color and smell of your urine. Ask your doctor what changes may occur. If some symptoms appear, you must inform your doctor about them:

Chills, fever over 38°C.
The urine turned red, orange, dark yellow, green, cloudy, and there was blood in it.
Urination has become difficult, during which there is a burning sensation and pain.
The urine began to smell sharp.

Some recommendations will help you:

Drink enough liquid - at least 8 glasses daily. This can be water, juices (it is better to dilute them with water), fruit drinks, milkshakes, compotes, soups.
Drink more water, even if you urinate a lot and often, this will help normalize your body's functioning.
Avoid any drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine.

What should you ask your doctor?

How much fluid should I drink daily?
What drinks are best to drink?
What drinks are undesirable?
What drinks should you not take?
In what cases should you urgently consult a doctor?

Infection during chemotherapy

Tell us immediately if you:

Temperature 38⁰ C or higher. Ask your doctor how to take your temperature.
You have chills.
Cough or sore throat.
Ear pain.
Headache and pain in the maxillary and frontal sinuses.
Pain or stiffness in the neck muscles.
Skin rash.
Ulcers, white coating on the tongue or inner cheeks.
Redness or swelling anywhere. This is especially important if you have a catheter.
Blood in the urine or cloudy urine.
Pain or burning when urinating.

If you feel unwell or have symptoms that weren't there before, don't wait. Call your doctor immediately.

Follow these tips to reduce your chance of infection:

Always wash your hands:

Before preparing and eating food,
After the toilet,
After being in public places. Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
Ask your loved ones to wash their hands thoroughly as well.
Consult your doctor about using hand sanitizer.

Follow the rules of hygiene:

Brush your teeth after eating and before going to bed. Use a very soft toothbrush.
If you have a catheter, try to keep the area dry and clean. Ask your nurse how to care for this area.

Try to avoid injury:

Use an electric razor, not a regular razor.
Wash yourself thoroughly and carefully after using the toilet. Tell your doctor if your rectal area hurts or bleeds.
Do not touch or squeeze pimples.

Avoid contact with germs:

Stay away from people who are contagious, especially those with a cold or flu. Avoid large crowds of people.
Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat. Fry the meat thoroughly.
Try to avoid people who have recently been vaccinated against measles, chickenpox, or polio.
Have someone clean up after your pets.

Questions to ask your doctor:

1. In what cases should I call a doctor? 2. What else can I do to avoid infection? 3. How often should the temperature be measured? 4. In what cases should you call an ambulance?

Swelling during chemotherapy

The occurrence of edema can be provoked by chemotherapy drugs, hormonal changes in the body, and general health (in particular, the cardiovascular system). Call your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

Difficulty breathing.
Feeling that the heart is not working properly.
Rapidly, sharply occurring swelling that quickly increases.
Unexplained weight gain - This may also be due to swelling.
Very rare urination, a small amount of urine - this indicates that fluid is retained in the body.

Some recommendations will help improve your condition:

Wear loose shoes.
Try not to stand for long periods of time.
When lying or sitting, try to raise your legs so that they are no lower than the level of your heart.
Weigh yourself at the same time every day, keep a diary and record your results every day.
Avoid adding salt and soy sauce to your food.
Avoid foods that contain a lot of salt: ham, chips, sauerkraut, pickles.
When you buy foods, be sure to read labels and check how much salt they contain.

What should you ask your doctor?

How much salt can I consume per day?
Should I wear compression garments?
What kind of weight gain should you pay attention to?
What foods should you not eat?
How can you reduce swelling and improve the condition?

Read more about swelling due to cancer in a separate article.