Oral candidiasis in cancer patients.

Oral candidiasis in cancer patients is an infection for which inconsistent diagnostic and therapeutic strategies currently prevail. Recent studies have shown its potential importance in the development of systemic candidiasis. A clinical and cytologic study was undertaken on 52 consecutive cancer patients admitted to our institution. Although the incidence of clinical candidiasis was low (8%), 27% of patients harbored evidence of subclinical colonization by Candida. In addition, a significant correlation was found between candidal colonization and low absolute lymphocyte counts. The significance of these findings in relation to systemic candidiasis and rationale for therapy are discussed.