Dental abnormalities in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to define the therapy-associated dental abnormalities in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We reviewed the clinical records and

panoramic radiographs of 423 survivors of ALL who were treated on one of four consecutive protocols (1975–1991). Dental abnormalities included root stunting, microdontia, hypodontia,

taurodontia (enlarged pulp chambers), and over-retention of primary teeth. The frequency of these factors was determined in relation to age at initiation of treatment (⩽8 years _vs_ >8

years), addition of cranial irradiation, and chemotherapeutic protocol. A total of 423 patients met the study criteria. The abnormalities comprised root stunting in 24.4% (_n_ = 103),

microdontia in 18.9% (_n_ = 80), hypodontia in 8.5% (_n_ = 36), taurodontia in 5.9% (_n_ = 25), and over-retention of primary dentition in 4.0% (_n_ = 17). Patients who were ⩽8 years old at

diagnosis or who received cranial irradiation therapy developed more dental abnormalities than did those >8 years and those who did not receive cranial irradiation (42 _vs_ 32%).

Survivors of childhood ALL often have dental abnormalities that may affect their quality of life. Dental evaluation at diagnosis and frequent follow-up may help to ensure appropriate

preventive measures and minimize dental and periodontal disease. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

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about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS THE PREVALENCE OF DENTAL DEVELOPMENTAL ANOMALIES AMONG CHILDHOOD CANCER

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INDICATORS Article Open access 11 April 2025 THE DENTAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS IRRADIATED FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER Article Open access 09 June 2023 AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND

AFFILIATIONS * Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA SC Kaste * Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, College of

Medicine, Memphis, TN, USA SC Kaste * Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA KP Hopkins * Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Tennessee,

Memphis, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, USA KP Hopkins * Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA D Jones * Department of Hematology-Oncology,

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA D Crom & VM Santana * Department of Radiation Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, CA Greenwald * Department of

Radiation Therapy, University of Tennessee, Memphis, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, USA CA Greenwald * Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee, Memphis, College of Medicine,

Memphis, TN, USA VM Santana Authors * SC Kaste View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * KP Hopkins View author publications You can also search

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for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * CA Greenwald View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * VM Santana View author publications You can also

search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Kaste, S., Hopkins, K., Jones, D. _et al._ Dental

abnormalities in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. _Leukemia_ 11, 792–796 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2400670 Download citation * Received: 31 October 1996 *

Accepted: 25 February 1997 * Issue Date: 01 June 1997 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2400670 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this

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KEYWORDS * acute lymphoblastic leukemia * taurodontia * microdontia * root stunting * late effects