BACKGROUND: The oral complications and morbidity resulting from overall cancer therapy utilizing radiation, chemotherapy, and/or stem cell transplantation can have significant impact on a patient's health, quality of life, cost of care, and cancer management. There has been minimal health services research focusing on the status of medically necessary, oral supportive services at US cancer centers. METHODS: A pre-tested, survey questionnaire was distributed to the directors of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers to assess each institution's resource availability and clinical practices, as it relates to the prevention and management of oral complications during cancer treatment. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 39 comprehensive cancer centers responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 56% of the centers did not have a dental department. The sites of delivery of oral supportive care services range from the provision of in-house dental care to community-based, private practice sites. No standard protocols were in place for either oral preventive care or for supportive services for oral complications during or after cancer therapy. Fifty percent of the responding comprehensive cancer centers reported orally focused research and/or clinical trial activities. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive cancer care must include an oral care component, particularly for those cancer patients who are at high risk for oral complications. This requires a functional team of oral care providers collaborating closely within the oncology team. Considering the number of cancer patients receiving aggressive oncologic treatment that may result in oral toxicity, the impact of oral conditions on a compromised host, and the potential lack of appropriate resources and healthcare personnel to manage these complications, future research efforts are needed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of present oral supportive care delivery systems at both NCI-designated cancer centers and community-based oncology practices.
BACKGROUND: The oral complications and morbidity resulting from overall cancer therapy utilizing radiation, chemotherapy, and/or stem cell transplantation can have significant impact on a patient's health, quality of life, cost of care, and cancer management. There has been minimal health services research focusing on the status of medically necessary, oral supportive services at US cancer centers. METHODS: A pre-tested, survey questionnaire was distributed to the directors of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers to assess each institution's resource availability and clinical practices, as it relates to the prevention and management of oral complications during cancer treatment. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 39 comprehensive cancer centers responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 56% of the centers did not have a dental department. The sites of delivery of oral supportive care services range from the provision of in-house dental care to community-based, private practice sites. No standard protocols were in place for either oral preventive care or for supportive services for oral complications during or after cancer therapy. Fifty percent of the responding comprehensive cancer centers reported orally focused research and/or clinical trial activities. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive cancer care must include an oral care component, particularly for those cancer patients who are at high risk for oral complications. This requires a functional team of oral care providers collaborating closely within the oncology team. Considering the number of cancer patients receiving aggressive oncologic treatment that may result in oral toxicity, the impact of oral conditions on a compromised host, and the potential lack of appropriate resources and healthcare personnel to manage these complications, future research efforts are needed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of present oral supportive care delivery systems at both NCI-designated cancer centers and community-based oncology practices.
Authors: Alison M Rose-Ped; Lisa A Bellm; Joel B Epstein; Andy Trotti; Clement Gwede; Henry J Fuchs Journal: Cancer Nurs Date: 2002-12 Impact factor: 2.592
Authors: Bijal J Modi; Brian Knab; Lawrence E Feldman; Arno J Mundt; Mike Yao; Kristen B Pytynia; Joel Epstein Journal: Expert Opin Pharmacother Date: 2005-06 Impact factor: 3.889
Authors: S T Sonis; G Oster; H Fuchs; L Bellm; W Z Bradford; J Edelsberg; V Hayden; J Eilers; J B Epstein; F G LeVeque; C Miller; D E Peterson; M M Schubert; F K Spijkervet; M Horowitz Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2001-04-15 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Graeme G Duncan; Joel B Epstein; Dongsheng Tu; Samy El Sayed; Andrea Bezjak; Jon Ottaway; Joe Pater Journal: Head Neck Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 3.147
Authors: Linda S Elting; Catherine Cooksley; Mark Chambers; Scott B Cantor; Ellen Manzullo; Edward B Rubenstein Journal: Cancer Date: 2003-10-01 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: D M Brizel; M E Albers; S R Fisher; R L Scher; W J Richtsmeier; V Hars; S L George; A T Huang; L R Prosnitz Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1998-06-18 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Gerry J Barker; Joel B Epstein; Karen B Williams; Meir Gorsky; Judith E Raber-Durlacher Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2004-11-12 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Esin Alpöz; Pelin Güneri; Joel B Epstein; Hülya Cankaya; Damir Osmic; Hayal Boyacıoğlu Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2013-06-01 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Marianne J Hjermstad; Mia Bergenmar; Kristin Bjordal; Sheila E Fisher; Dirk Hofmeister; Sébastien Montel; Ourania Nicolatou-Galitis; Monica Pinto; Judith Raber-Durlacher; Susanne Singer; Iwona M Tomaszewska; Krzysztof A Tomaszewski; Irma Verdonck-de Leeuw; Noam Yarom; Julie B Winstanley; Bente B Herlofson Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-04-25 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: H Badr; D Lipnick; M A Diefenbach; M Posner; T Kotz; B Miles; E Genden Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2015-10-27 Impact factor: 2.520