Oropharyngeal Cancer and the Risk for Yeast Infection

Cancer patients experience a unique set of health risks while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For patients with oropharyngeal cancer, these risks can be significantly higher as the issues with mouth and throat changes can impede eating, talking, and even sleeping. If you are caring for a loved one who has oropharyngeal cancer, it is important to become familiar with the infection risks that may develop aside from the issues of malignancy.

Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of malignancy that affects very few adults. But, when this type of malignancy is present, the issues with throat and mouth infection can be of great concern since the mouth, throat, and pharynx are typically unable to fight infections naturally. So, when treating for this type of cancer, it is important to not only know how the treatment will be planned but to also know how to resist and identify other infections.

One of the most common types of infections that develop in oropharyngeal cancer patients is a type of yeast infection known as oropharyngeal candidiasis. With this type of yeast infection, additional pain, itching, and swelling in the mouth and pharynx are quite common. While chemotherapy and radiation therapy as used to fight malignancy cells, a doctor will typically have to prescribe anti-fungal medications to eradicate the issues with the yeast infection.

Anti-fungal medications used to treat the yeast infection in the mouth may be given in oral tablets or oral liquid but most patients will need to use an anti-fungal mouthwash that is swallowed as part of the therapy. For each cancer patients, however, the treatment may vary depending on the degree to which the immune system is compromised. The most crucial part of the treatment involves early detection and early treatment.

While caring for a loved one that has oropharyngeal cancer, always be sure you know what secondary complications may arise and how you can work with your loved one to detect those complications early. In doing so, there will be minimal risk for heightened health complications and the focus can be placed on the eradication of the oropharyngeal cancer.

Sources: Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer Series, by Wayne Koch