Childhood Cancer

Question 1

what should all children undergoing immunosuppressive therapy have done before treatment commences

Answer 1

oral examination

Question 2

give five examples of oral complications that can occur as a result of immunosuppressive therapy or head and neck radiation

Answer 2

oral mucositis
taste dysfunction
opportunistic infections (candida, herpes)
osteroradionecrosis
MRONJ

Question 3

what are the three objectives dentally before any cancer treatment commences

Answer 3

stabilise existing irritants
communicate with medical team regarding patient’s oral health status
education on optimal oral care for patient and parents

Question 4

what is the indication to use an antibiotic prophylaxis for patients who are immunocompromised following cancer therapy

Answer 4

neutrophil count less than 2,000 per cubic millimetre

Question 5

what two types of cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia split into

Answer 5

haematological
solid tumours

Question 6

what are haematological tumours

Answer 6

cancer that affect blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes

Question 7

give three examples of haematological cancers

Answer 7

leukaemia
lymphoma
myeloma

Question 8

give an example of solid tumours in children

Answer 8

brain tumours

Question 9

what is the most common type of cancer affecting children

Answer 9

leukaemia

Question 10

what do myeloid cells become

Answer 10

white blood cells - monocytes and neutrophils

Question 11

what do lymphoid stem cells become

Answer 11

white blood cells - lymphocytes

Question 12

what do erythroblasts become

Answer 12

red blood cells

Question 13

what do megakaryocytes become

Answer 13

platelets

Question 14

what is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Answer 14

bone marrow makes too many lymphoblast cells which are immature and cannot grow into lymphocytes

Question 15

what are the two types of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Answer 15

b cell
t cell

Question 16

name four symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Answer 16

swollen lymph nodes
bruising or bleeding easily for no reason
bone pain
loss of appetite

Question 17

what two ways can acute lymphoblastic leukaemia be treated

Answer 17

chemotherapy
stem cell transplant

Question 18

what are the three phases of chemotherapy

Answer 18

induction
consolidation
maintenance

Question 19

name five oral problems related to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Answer 19

increased infection risk during treatment
oral and pharyngeal mucositis
increased caries rate
MRONJ
dry mouth

Question 20

what are the dental treatment considerations for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Answer 20

prioritise intervention
time appointments around treatment
bleeding risk