Oral Care Protocol for Paediatric Oncology Patients - Part 3: Prevention and management of acute oral complications in children undergoing oncology therapy

Oral complications are prevalent among childhood oncology patients; ranging from 30 to 100% of patients (Hong & daFonseca 2008). These oral complications can be both acute and severe, often requiring additional supportive therapy. They may delay cancer treatment or become dose limiting, increase hospital admission, increase cost, decrease quality of life and in essence add further burden to the patients, families and clinicians. There are numerous reports describing acute oral complications from cancer therapy resulting in significant morbidity and delays in overall therapy (Walsh 2010). Table 1 lists the potential acute oral complications of oncology therapy.