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Almståhl A, Finizia C, Carlén A, et al. Mucosal microflora in head and neck cancer patients. Int J Dent Hyg. 2018;16(4):459-466doi: 10.1111/idh.12348.
Almståhl, A., Finizia, C., Carlén, A., Fagerberg-Mohlin, B., & Alstad, T. (2018). Mucosal microflora in head and neck cancer patients. International journal of dental hygiene, 16(4), 459-466. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12348
Almståhl, A, et al. "Mucosal microflora in head and neck cancer patients." International journal of dental hygiene vol. 16,4 (2018): 459-466. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12348
Almståhl A, Finizia C, Carlén A, Fagerberg-Mohlin B, Alstad T. Mucosal microflora in head and neck cancer patients. Int J Dent Hyg. 2018 Nov;16(4):459-466. doi: 10.1111/idh.12348. Epub 2018 May 15. PMID: 29766652.
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Int J Dent Hyg. 2018 Nov;16(4):459-466. doi: 10.1111/idh.12348. Epub 2018 May 15.

Mucosal microflora in head and neck cancer patients.

International journal of dental hygiene

A Almståhl, C Finizia, A Carlén, B Fagerberg-Mohlin, T Alstad

Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  4. Department of Oral Prosthetics, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

PMID: 29766652 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12348

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the tongue and buccal microflora prospectively in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS: In 33 dentate patients, microbial samples from the tongue and buccal mucosa were collected pretreatment, during treatment, and 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-treatment. Microorganisms associated with oral health and oral disorders were analysed using cultivation technique. Oral mucositis was scored at the appointment during treatment.

RESULTS: Compared with pretreatment, lactobacilli and Candida increased on the tongue, while streptococci and Neisseria decreased during treatment. Two years post-treatment, Neisseria and Prevotella were decreased and Candida increased. On the buccal mucosa, an increased growth of lactobacilli and increased detection frequencies of the opportunistic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative enteric rods and enterococci were seen during treatment compared with pretreatment. Seventy per cent showed severe mucositis during treatment. Two years post-treatment the total count as well as streptococci, Neisseria and Fusobacterium nucleatum were decreased and lactobacilli increased compared with pretreatment.

CONCLUSION: Despite improvements in treatment for cancer in the head and neck region, microorganisms associated with oral health decrease during treatment and mucosal pathogens increase. Two years post-treatment, levels of acid-tolerant (lactobacilli and Candida) were increased, while acid-sensitive microorganisms (Neisseria and F. nucleatum) were decreased, plausibly due to persisting decreased salivary secretion rate.

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords: buccal mucosa; head and neck cancer patients; hyposalivation; microflora; radiation therapy; tongue

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