A Cross-Sectional Survey of Oral Adverse Events and Oral Management Needs in Outpatients Receiving Cancer Drug Therapy

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and severity of oral adverse events in outpatients receiving cancer drug therapy and the need for oral management by medical professionals. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among patients who received cancer drug therapy at our hospital between 1 and 30 September 2022. The incidence and severity of oral adverse events and the need for intervention by medical professionals were investigated. The risk factors for these events were also analyzed. Results: Of the 216 patients who answered the questionnaire, 127 (58.8%) experienced oral adverse events such as dysgeusia, oral mucositis, and xerostomia. Of the patients who experienced oral adverse events, 53.5% expressed that they wanted to improve their condition, 34.6% expressed that the adverse events affected their quality of life, and 26.8% wanted dental intervention. Thirty-two patients (25.2%) reported that the symptoms of these oral events were as severe as or more severe than those of other adverse events. The incidence of adverse oral events was significantly higher in patients treated with 5FU- and taxane-based regimens than in patients treated with other regimens. Conclusions: Our results suggest that cancer drug therapy, and the frequency and severity of oral adverse events, have a significant impact on the outpatients’ quality of life. More than a quarter of outpatients receiving cancer drug therapy wanted oral management through dental interventions. In particular, patients receiving 5FU-, taxane-, and anthracycline-based regimens may require oral management by medical professionals.