1. < Gynecologic Cancers

Your experience with tooth extraction while getting Bevacizumab

Posted by charlotte12 @charlotte12, Jun 27 7:56am

I have a decayed tooth, the lymph node near by is swollen, no pain from the tooth, the tooth can not be saved and needs to be extracted, this medication,bevacizumab also called Avastin may increase the risk of poor healing - I don't want to stop the use of this medication.
Have you had a tooth extraction while continue taking Avastin?
How was your experience?

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 30 2:05pm
In reply to @charlotte12 "thanks for your reply, how long is the pause for avastin? I'm waiting to get an..." + (show)
@charlotte12

thanks for your reply, how long is the pause for avastin? I'm waiting to
get an appointment with the dentist to evaluate the current status of the tooth. How many chemo treatments did you have when they stopped the avastin, how soon after the avastin was stopped did you have your root canal, and when are your getting avastin again? Did the CBC look different
after avastin was stopped?

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Hi @charlotte12, When it rains it pours, huh? I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this infected tooth during your chemo treatments. @naturegirl5 tagged me into the conversation with my dental background. But I admit, this one is out my experience. I know you’re not eager to halt your treatments since you’re just about to start your 3rd round and don’t want to lose the positive gains you’ve made already. But an infected tooth can present its own set of issues.

According to the Avastin site, “Avastin can make it easier for you to bleed and it can also cause problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection. Do not use Avastin within 28 days before or after a planned surgery”.
I don’t know how this will translate to your extraction. If your blood doesn’t clot properly it could interfer with the healing process. It’s important for a blood clot to form in the extraction site and to remain there to avoid a dry socket or infection. Both can be treated…but you’d rather avoid the complications.
Suturing the site closed may aide with proper healing. Though, depending on the location of the tooth, there may not be enough tissue to completely suture the extraction site closed. One thought that might help with clotting and protection of the socket would be if the dentist or oral surgeon packed it with Iodoform gauze. That is a dissolvable, treated material which remains in the extraction site. These are a few of the things your dentist will consider when you have your consultation.

I know you’re waiting to have the tooth evaluated by your dentist. In the meantime you could check with your oncologist to get some direction about the Avastin and the potential for an extraction. Your dentist or oral surgeon will need consult with the oncologist to come up with a viable treatment plan.

Try not to lose sleep over this because I assure you, you’re not the first person that’s had to have an extraction while taking Avastin. Your doctor and dentist will come up with a plan for you. If you have questions about what they’ve discussed sometimes I can help with clarification, so don’t hesitate to tag me! And please, will you let me know how this turns out for you?

REPLY
charlotte12 | @charlotte12 | Jul 1 6:47am

thanks for your involvement and caring-

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