Preventing Oral Mucositis
Strategies to prevent oral mucositis (OM) have many components. The simplest
and most important component is optimizing the cancer patient’s oral
care.
Practicing good oral hygiene and treating pre-existing dental or oral problems
prior to cancer therapy is essential to decreasing the risk of OM. Patients
also need to be aware of other
protective measures such as avoiding
certain foods and substances that irritate the mucosa.1,2
Aside from things the patient can do at home, there are protective measures health
care practitioners can take during cancer therapy to help reduce the risk of
OM or decrease the severity. Such measures include radiation therapy blocks
and cryotherapy.3
To read more about ways to prevent OM, visit the Oral Care and Other
Protective Measures pages in this section.
References
- Schubert M. Oral Mucositis in Cancer Patients. Oncology Special Edition 2004;
7:51-5.
- Epstein JB, Schubert MM. Oropharyngeal mucositis in cancer therapy.
Review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Oncology (Huntingt) 2003;
17:1767-79.
- 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.
