Pre Chemo care for Ovarian Cancer

  I met with my dentist for a broken tooth yesterday and he says it is very important that the hygenist cleans my teeth & he does any required fillings before I start my chemo mid January - as he is away next week, he gave my my husband's appointment to get my work done tomorrow. IS this info true?  I have just changed dentists and need to know IF his recommendations are correct.

I have my appt with my gyn/onc Jan 10, 2011 to get my chemo info so I can't ask her this question.
I had surgery to remove both ovaries, fallopian tubes, appendix, omentum and they did a peritonial wash.  My basketball sized right ovary was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma that they said came from mucinous borderline cystadenoma-all else was clear for cancer. My gyn/onc will explain this diagnosis on Monday as well as what is my stage, grade & cell type.  It was explained that the Chemo option is an aggressive measure in case there were cancer cells missed, I don't think they know if the ovary was the primary cancer.

Thank you.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Carolyn

There is alot of bacteria in the mouth. Dental wok and teeth cleaning releases bacteria in the blood stream that is transient.

But for people on chemotherapy, it is important to only have dental work when your blood counts especially your white blood cells are in the normal range. The best time is right before the next chemo treatment. counts will drop 10-14 days after chemo and then come back to normal by 21 days.

best wishes