Cancer chemotherapy-induced effects on tooth formation

Reduced mortality has resulted in an ever-growing population of childhood cancer survivors (Childhood Cancer Survivors, CCS) The increased survival rate for common pediatric malignancies is due to advances in diagnostic, therapeutic, supportive and long-term care strategies.
Despite efforts to minimise the side effects of oncological treatments, treatment with cytotoxic therapies is often associated with acute and late complications
The present work provides new insights on the pathogenesis of disturbed tooth development and salivary glands function following the administration of selected chemotherapeutic agents. The observed amelogenesis defects and reduced function of ion transporters in the parotid gland require further investigation.
The second aim of this thesis was to inform oral health professionals about late oral and non-oral side effects of oncological treatment in long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS). In addition to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, targeted therapies and immuno-therapy have also been introduced for specific subtypes of pediatric malignancies. Longitudinal observational studies should be performed following CCS after their cancer treatment in order to identify potential adverse effects and keep prevention and management recommendations up to date.