Oral complications from cancer therapy: Part 2--Nursing implications for assessment and treatment.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review nursing assessment and implications of oral complications from cancer therapy.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles, books, and monographs.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Cancer and cancer therapy disturb the normal integrity and function of the oral cavity, leading to alterations in structure and function. Secondary complications can be acute or chronic and often interfere in the prescribed course of therapy. An ongoing oral assessment must be performed to promote the early identification of oral complications. The application of effective, long-lasting interventions can help to minimize the risk of developing secondary complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Coordination of efforts between nursing, medicine, and dentistry is critical to the prevention, management, and resolution of oral complications. Continued research on this subject is needed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses need to perform ongoing oral assessments on all patients to identify complications early. By teaching patients and significant others how to perform oral assessments correctly, they can report oral changes. Interventions such as pretherapy dental evaluation, mouth-care products and regimens, antibiotic therapy, and analgesic therapy can decrease oral discomfort and resolve and prevent oral complications.