What are adverse reactions to chemotherapy?
An allergic reaction, such as swelling of the mouth or throat, severe itching, trouble swallowing. Intense chills. Pain or soreness at the chemo injection site or catheter site. Unusual pain, including intense headaches.
What are the oral manifestations of chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.
Does chemo affect teeth and gums?
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. These drugs kill cancer cells, but they may also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums; the soft, moist lining of your mouth; and the glands that make saliva (spit).
What’s the worst chemotherapy drug?
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is one of the most powerful chemotherapy drugs ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it’s used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Unfortunately, the drug can also damage heart cells, so a patient can’t take it indefinitely.
Do you ever fully recover from chemotherapy?
Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again. Read the resource Managing Cognitive Changes: Information for Cancer Survivors for more information about managing chemo brain.
Does chemo make your teeth fall out?
Chemotherapy causes other side effects in children, depending on their age. Problems with teeth are the most common. Permanent teeth may be slow to come in and may look different from normal teeth. Teeth may fall out.
What does neuropathy from chemo feel like?
Symptoms of Neuropathy
Certain types of chemotherapy affect the small sensory nerves in the feet and hands, causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in fingers and toes. Treatment with chemotherapy can also result in weakness, muscle cramps, and muscle fatigue.
Is oral chemotherapy as effective?
Oral chemotherapy is just as effective as intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. OAMs work as well as cancer drugs that are administered intravenously over a period of hours in a medical office. The medication is just as strong and therefore, the same safeguards need to be applied.
What are the signs that chemo is working?
Complete response – all of the cancer or tumor disappears; there is no evidence of disease. A tumor marker (if applicable) may fall within the normal range. Partial response – the cancer has shrunk by a percentage but disease remains. A tumor marker (if applicable) may have fallen but evidence of disease remains.
Can chemo affect your teeth long-term?
Chemotherapy may affect tooth enamel and increase the risk of long-term dental problems. High doses of radiation therapy to the head and neck area may change tooth development. It can also cause gum disease and lower saliva production, causing a dry mouth.
How many cycles of chemotherapy can you have?
During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.
How can I protect my teeth during chemo?
During treatment with chemotherapy or head and neck radiation
- Use a soft toothbrush or a sponge applicator such as a toothette to brush your teeth.
- Don’t floss if it causes bleeding when your platelet count is low.
- Wear dentures only for meals.