Other Protective Measures
Besides proper oral care, there are several things patients with cancer
can do to reduce the risk of oral mucositis (OM) and limit its severity. Nurses
should educate patients about these protective measures and provide encouragement
when needed.
Following strategic nutrition guidelines and avoiding certain substances
and products can help prevent OM and limit its severity.1,2
Foods, products and substances that can damage or irritate the mucosa include
the following:
- Spicy, hot, acidic or rough foods
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Oral rinses that have strong flavors or contain alcohol
- Medications containing alcohol1,2
Patients also should avoid habits like biting their lips or cheeks.2
In addition to what patients can do to limit OM risk, there are preventative
measures health professionals can take during cancer treatment. When appropriate,
health professionals administering radiation therapy may use midline radiation
blocks and three-dimensional radiation treatment.3 Also, cryotherapy
may be given 5 minutes before 5-FU bolus injection and continued for 30 minutes
to help cool the oral cavity and prevent OM.3
For information on current treatments for OM, visit Managing Oral Mucositis.
References
- Epstein JB, Schubert MM. Oropharyngeal mucositis in cancer therapy.
Review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Oncology (Huntingt) 2003;
17:1767-79.
- Schubert M. Oral Mucositis in Cancer Patients. Oncology Special Edition 2004;
7:51-5.
- Rubenstein, EB, et al., Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention
and treatment of cancer therapy-induced oral and gastrointestinal mucositis. Cancer 2004;
100(9 Suppl):2026-46.
