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The presenting dental status of solid tumours with bone metastases requiring bone-targeting agents - part 4: miscellaneous cancers

British Dental Journal volume 232, pages 213–218 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

This article discusses relevant information for the dental sector regarding metastatic cancers beyond breast and prostate cancer. Typically, tumour sites such as lung, renal, colorectal, gastrointestinal, thyroid, hepatic and pancreatic cancers are increasingly being referred for bone-targeting agents upon evidence of bone metastases.

The current article explores the presenting dental status of these tumour groups on the background of survival outcomes. In addition, the article provides insight towards the complexity in achieving 'dental fitness' and whether 'dental stability' could be an alternative to consider via palliative dentistry in certain cases.

Key points

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality in oncology deaths.

  • Certain cancer medications such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies can also cause medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

  • A 'palliative dentistry' approach aiming for dental stability should be considered if oncological circumstances do not allow for dental fitness to be ideally achieved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Surgery, Guy´s and St Thomas´ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Vinod Patel, Sheelen Patel, Rana Wali, Megan Burns & Marianne Henien

  2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Torbay Hospital, UK

    Sanford Grossman

  3. Oral Surgery Department, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK

    Lara Zebic

  4. Medical Oncology, Guy´s and St Thomas´ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Deborah Enting

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  1. Vinod Patel
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  2. Sheelen Patel
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Correspondence to Vinod Patel.

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19/LO/1600 - Dental status of oncology patients requiring bone modulating therapy - a retrospective cohort study.

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Patel, V., Patel, S., Grossman, S. et al. The presenting dental status of solid tumours with bone metastases requiring bone-targeting agents - part 4: miscellaneous cancers. Br Dent J 232, 213–218 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-3983-6

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