Oral complications include salivary gland dysfunction, which leads to dry mouth; rampant dental decay and mouth sores that are painful, diminish the quality of life and can lead to significant compliance problems. According to figures from the National Cancer Institute, oral complications occur in almost all patients receiving radiation for head and neck malignancies, in more than 75 percent of bone marrow transplant recipients and in nearly 40 percent of patients receiving chemotherapy.

According to studies, pretreatment therapy for oral complications can positively affect the outcomes of cancer treatment.

Reviewed: January 2012