About Oral Mucositis
During cancer treatment the lips, mouth and throat can sometimes become tender,
and you may develop sores on them. This condition is called oral mucositis
(OM), and it mainly affects the linings inside your mouth.1,2
Most patients with cancer (60%-70%) will not develop OM, but some will.3
Those undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers or those receiving bone
marrow transplants are more likely to develop OM.4
Oral mucositis can complicate your quality of life and the course of your
cancer treatment. It can make it difficult for you to eat, drink and talk.1 Plus,
it can put you at an increased risk of infections, and it may cause delays
and interruptions in your treatment schedule.2,5
You can help limit the likelihood of developing OM by taking excellent care
of your mouth and teeth prior to beginning cancer treatment, by treating any
teeth or mouth disease prior to treatment, and by continuing excellent oral
care throughout your cancer therapy.1,4 It is
critical that you talk with your doctors and nurses about your oral health
before you begin treatment, and that you act on any recommendations they make.
Until recently little has been known about OM and its causes. Recent studies,
though, have provided important information about the causes, consequences and risk
factors of OM, as well as ways to help prevent and manage OM.6
References
- Brown, CG,Wingard, J Clinical consequences of oral mucositis. Semin
Oncol Nurs 2004. 20(1):16-21.
- Sonis, ST. The pathobiology of mucositis. Nat Rev Cancer, 2004. 4(4):277-84.
- Sonis, ST, A biological approach to mucositis. J Support Oncol 2004.
2(1): 21-32.
- 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.
- Avritscher, EB, CD Cooksley, Elting, LS. Scope and epidemiology of cancer
therapy-induced oral and gastrointestinal mucositis. Semin Oncol Nurs 2004.
20(1):3-10.
- Sonis, ST, et al., Perspectives on cancer therapy-induced mucosal injury:
pathogenesis, measurement, epidemiology, and consequences for patients. Cancer,
2004. 100(9 Suppl):1995-2025.
