Salivary evaluation of pediatric patients with cancer, before and after antineoplasic treatment.

AIMS: This study evaluated the salivary biochemical and immunological status of children with cancer undergoing to antineoplasic treatment in an attempt to identify alternatives for a less invasive and less painful monitoring of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from 115 children without cancer (control) and 32 children with cancer (CA). Children with cancer were also evaluated after antineoplasic treatment (CAT, n = 17). The salivary concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), urea, insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), levothyroxine (T4), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were determined.

RESULTS: Acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma were the most frequent cancers, although cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, osteosarcoma, nephroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and endodermal sinus tumor were also observed. The salivary concentration of cholesterol, triglycerides, or GGT did not differ between groups. Instead, the concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and T4 were higher in patients with cancer, irrespective of treatment. TSH levels were higher in the CA group and urea concentration was lower in the CAT group. T3 was undetectable in all groups. Antineoplasic treatment increased the glucose level and decreased the insulin concentration. Salivary concentration of total IgA was lower in children with cancer, irrespective of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Cancer and antineoplasic treatment affected biochemical and immunological parameters in the saliva of children, shedding new light on the potential usefulness of saliva for monitoring children with cancer, especially to patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.