Oral mucositis

Oral mucositis is an acute inflammation of the oral mucosa following systemic cancer therapy and/or radiotherapy. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical history and physical examination.

Clinical presentation varies from erythema to patchy or confluent ulceration with a superficial pseudomembranous membrane or, rarely, overt necrosis.

If severe, may warrant an undesirable dose-reduction and/or a break in cancer therapy.

Lesions are often very painful. Treatment is symptomatic and includes oral hygiene and pain control.

Preventive treatments include palifermin (during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), low-level laser therapy, and use of ice-chips during chemotherapy infusion therapy.

Oral mucositis secondary to cancer therapy is an acute inflammation of the oral mucosa in response to systemic oncology therapy and/or radiation to fields involving the oral cavity. The clinical presentation ranges from a general erythematous oral mucosa to erosive lesions and overt ulceration. Lesions are often very painful, may compromise nutrition and oral hygiene, and can increase the risk of local and systemic infection. Furthermore, severe oral mucositis may necessitate an undesirable dose-reduction and/or a break in cancer therapy. Therefore, mucositis is a highly significant complication of cancer therapy, with a potential impact on patient prognosis.[1]Lalla RV, Saunders DP, Peterson DE. Chemotherapy or radiation-induced oral mucositis. Dent Clin North Am. 2014 Apr;58(2):341-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24655526?tool=bestpractice.com