Oral Secondary Malignant Lesions Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Review

Increased survival rates after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have led to a higher occurrence of oral secondary malignant lesions, which are often aggressive and appear 5 to 10 years post-procedure. Many doctors and dentists feel unprepared to manage these patients. Objectives: This review aims to identify the most prevalent oral secondary malignant lesions in post-HSCT patients, their onset period, developmental mechanisms, and treatment options. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed and LILACS databases (articles from January 2012 to June 2024), with the descriptors “HSCT,” “mouth neoplasms,” “oral cancer,” and “oral squamous cell carcinoma.” Studies such as reviews, meta-analyses, and case reports/series addressing the objectives were included. Bibliographic management was performed using Anara, a research support software that employs artificial intelligence for referencing, article storage, and citation. Aspects discussed: The main types of secondary malignancies (post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, solid tumors like oral squamous cell carcinoma) and risk factors are addressed, with emphasis on graft-versus-host disease. Conclusions and applications: Oral secondary malignant lesions are a significant complication after HSCT, with graft-versus-host disease being an important risk factor. Knowledge about these lesions, their mechanisms, and treatments is crucial to guide dentists and doctors in clinical analysis and management, highlighting the need for active surveillance for early diagnosis and better prognosis.