“Manifestaciones orales en pacientes pediátricos oncológicos”.

Abstract

The term cancer is used for diseases that involve the uncontrolled growth of cells and is a serious global public health problem. The most common types of cancer in children are leukemia, mainly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloblastic leukemia; Tumors of the central nervous system; lymphomas and neuroblastomas or tumors of the sympathetic nervous system. The objective was to describe the oral manifestations in pediatric oncology patients. A systematic review was carried out that included 20 articles published between 2015 and 2023. The most common oral manifestations in pediatric cancer patients are mucositis, xerostomia, opportunistic infections, both viral and fungal, and dental anomalies. There is also an increased incidence of cavities and gingival disease. The quality of life of these patients is compromised especially in the presence of mucositis due to the pain it causes and xerostomia due to decreased salivary flow. There are treatments for each of the oral manifestations presented by pediatric oncology patients, which must be discussed with the oncology team.