The importance of dental practice in oncological treatment: a case report associated with breast cancer

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Brazil, the estimated number of new cancer cases between 2020 and 2022 is 625 thousand, and the most prevalent carcinomas are primarily skin (non-melanoma), followed by those of the breast, prostate, colon, and rectum. Although breast carcinoma still has a high mortality rate, it has a good prognosis due to the increase in early diagnosis and the evolution of anticancer treatments. The proposed treatment can be isolated or associated with resective surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or hormone replacement. Chemotherapy generates extensive immunosuppression and affects both healthy and altered cells, and the cytotoxicity of the treatment is an important effect that can cause lesions on the oral mucosa. Severity is related to the type of chemotherapeutic agent, treatment time, the dose used, and the individual’s age. Additionally, chemotherapy treatment can exacerbate preexisting conditions in the individual and cause greater discomfort during treatment. Therefore, monitoring oral health before, during, and after anticancer therapy is essential. The objective of this work is to report a clinical case of dental emergency in a patient after the first cycle of doxorubicin- cyclophosphamide-paclitaxel (ACTdd) to treat breast cancer.