Oral complications from cancer therapy: Part 1--Pathophysiology and secondary complications.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review the pathophysiology of oral complications from cancer therapy and potential secondary complications. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, books, and monographs. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy disturb the normal integrity and function of the oral cavity. This leads to ulcerations, bone changes, bleeding, infection, salivary gland dysfunction, and dental diseases. Secondary complications occur as consequences of existing oral complications and often result in life-threatening situations. CONCLUSIONS: Coordinating the efforts of nursing, medicine, and dentistry is critical to the prevention, management, and resolution of oral complications. Continued research is needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Understanding the pathophysiology of oral complications from cancer therapy enables nurses to identify significant changes and implement appropriate measures to prevent complications. By identifying patients who are at risk for developing secondary complications, nurses can provide detailed instructions to these patients and their significant others to aide them in reporting changes that require prompt medical attention.

Oral complications from cancer therapy: Part 2--Nursing implications for assessment and treatment.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review nursing assessment and implications of oral complications from cancer therapy. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, books, and monographs. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cancer and cancer therapy disturb the normal integrity and function of the oral cavity, leading to alterations in structure and function. Secondary complications can be acute or chronic and often interfere in the prescribed course of therapy. An ongoing oral assessment must be performed to promote the early identification of oral complications. The application of effective, long-lasting interventions can help to minimize the risk of developing secondary complications. CONCLUSIONS: Coordination of efforts between nursing, medicine, and dentistry is critical to the prevention, management, and resolution of oral complications. Continued research on this subject is needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses need to perform ongoing oral assessments on all patients to identify complications early. By teaching patients and significant others how to perform oral assessments correctly, they can report oral changes. Interventions such as pretherapy dental evaluation, mouth-care products and regimens, antibiotic therapy, and analgesic therapy can decrease oral discomfort and resolve and prevent oral complications.

Flow cytometry: an overview.

Flow cytometry is a method of rapidly analyzing large numbers of cells as they flow in a liquid medium through a laser source. Flow cytometry provides valuable information regarding DNA content, RNA content, and the percentage of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. This information can be used to predict the aggressiveness of many tumors, which has direct prognostic and diagnostic implications. Flow cytometry assists healthcare professionals in planning and implementing effective, appropriate, and timely interventions. Because flow cytometry is becoming more prevalent, nurses must be aware of its actual and potential applications. The data obtained from flow cytometry provide important information that can assist nurses in anticipating a particular regimen for specific tumors and in projecting the patient's clinical course. With this information, nurses can modify and individualize care plans. When used in conjunction with a patient's clinical presentation and other laboratory findings, flow cytometry has a direct impact on both treatment decisions and nursing interventions.