OBJECTIVES
To examine the objective and subjective oral complications and discomfort in cancer-patients at different phases of the disease trajectory. To compare in a cross-sectional design oral health status and self-reported oral health and general health in long-term survivors of testicular cancer and age-matched males representative of the general population. To compare the oral health in disease-free survivors of childhood malignant lymphoma/leukemie and age-matched representatives of the general population. To develop and validate an EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) -questionnaire module focusing on oral health and discomfort according to standard guidelines from the EORTC QOL group.
Impact of study
The study will give new insight into oral health problems which cancer patients in different phases of the cancer experience: during treatment, in the palliative phase of the disease and as long-term survivors. The findings will be highly relevant for the care, treatment and information of cancer patients, for the organization of cancer care and treatment, for the dental follow-up of cancer patients and also for the health authorities being responsible for the health care and reimbursement issues of this large group of cancer patients at various stages of disease.