Oral health in cancer patients: results of a monocentric survey.

PURPOSE: Advances in cancer treatment have improved survival, resulting in a growing population at risk of treatment-related complications, including oral health problems. These complications affect morbidity, healthcare costs, and overall health-related quality of life. This study aimed to explore patient-reported oral health and the perceived impact of oral health problems on quality of life in cancer patients.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at Ghent University Hospital between July 1st and September 3rd, 2024. Eligible participants were patients receiving active cancer treatment. The questionnaire included items on sociodemographic and disease characteristics, daily oral health behaviours, patient-reported oral health status, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), using selected items from the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP).

RESULTS

A total of 188 patients participated (response rate = 35.9%), being predominantly female (72.9%) and breast cancer patients (42.6%). Patient-reported oral health was rated as good to very good in 62.3%, but 46.3% reported deterioration since treatment initiation. Oral symptoms were reported by 68.1%, most commonly xerostomia (35.1%), altered taste (30.3%), aphthous ulcers (30.3%), and pain (20.2%). OHRQoL was affected, with 66.0% reporting at least one oral health-related difficulty, most frequently biting (34.6%) and chewing (29.2%). Physical oral pain was reported at least occasionally by 29.3%, while psychological impacts were reported by 10.6-14.4% of participants.

CONCLUSION

Oral health problems were common during active cancer therapy and substantially affected OHRQoL, highlighting the need for a person-centred, multidisciplinary approach with oral health guidance and referral pathways.