Arsenic trioxide associated toothache

Abstract

Arsenic trioxide in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia is relatively safe with minimal side effects. Dental toxicities associated with its use are uncommon. We describe the first case report of toothache associated with arsenic trioxide. A 45-year-old male with relapsed APL was commenced on a treatment schedule of all-trans-retinoic acid 20mg four times a day for 14 days concurrent with a 10mg intravenous infusion of arsenic trioxide for 28 days. After 14 doses of the 6th cycle of treatment he experienced severe acute pain in various parts of the oral cavity. Extensive examination including an orthodontic review concluded there was no indication that the pain symptoms were due to a dental or endodontic cause. Four days after completing his 6th cycle the pain completely resolved. The mechanism of this adverse event remains unclear. Physicians with patients receiving arsenic trioxide with unexplained toothache should consider the arsenic as the cause of the pain. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2010) 16: 127—128.