Association of xerostomia and taste alterations of patients receiving antineoplastic chemotherapy: A cause for nutritional concern.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The symptoms of xerostomia and taste alteration are adverse effects which frequently occur in patients under chemotherapy and once associated they can potentially impair their nutritional status. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of xerostomia and taste alterations in patients being treated by neoplastic chemotherapy. METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled to receive neoplastic chemotherapy were followed for their first two chemotherapy cycles for solid tumors and the Chemotherapy-Induced Taste Alteration Scale (CiTAS) was adopted. Xerostomia was defined by the presence of dry mouth complaints reported by the patients and signs of hyposalivation identified during the intraoral examination. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 33 were women, mean age; 61,48 ± 9,07 years, and 17 were men, mean age; 57,35 ± 11,50 years. The most common tumor was located in the breast affecting 15 patients (30%). The Mann-Whitney test showed that the mean scores of CiTAS were significantly higher for those patients who reported having xerostomia when compared with those without xerostomia after the first two chemotherapy cycles. The cofounding variables such as age, smoking habits and use of antidepressants were not statistically associated with taste alterations (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Taste alterations were worse for patients who complained of xerostomia during the first two cycles of antineoplastic chemotherapy and the association of both symptoms can potentially impair their nutritional status and quality of life.

Spontaneous Resolution of a Central Giant Cell Granuloma in a Child After an Incisional Biopsy: A Five-year Follow-up.

A central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is typically regarded as a benign lesion with osteoclastic activity. Treatment often involves surgical procedures that may cause deformities; however, minimally invasive approaches have been suggested for treating pediatric patients. We report a case of CGCG of the mandible in a 13-year-old boy who presented with a well-defined radiolucent area in the anterior mandible that was initially detected in a radiographic examination for orthodontic purposes. An incisional biopsy was performed and diagnosed histologically as a CGCG. The patient underwent clinical and radiographic follow-up only after the biopsy, eventually showing signs of bone healing. Five years later, complete resolution of the lesion was observed radiographically. Considering this optimal outcome, similar cases of CGCG should be carefully analyzed for appropriateness of this conservative approach.