Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: A Review

Abstract

Oral mucositis is caused by disruption of oral mucosal integrity following chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy. Especially head and neck radiotherapy, antimetabolite and alkylating chemotherapy agents cause an increase the frequency and severity of oral mucositis. In patients with oral mucositis emerges serious complications such as pain in the mouth / throat, infection and bleeding. It may also have clinical and economic consequences such as deterioration in daily living activities, fluid, nutrient and analgesia support, prolonged hospital stay and increased treatment cost. Many pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents are used in the prevention / treatment of oral mucositis. In this review, the definition, epidemiology, developmental mechanism, etiology / risk factors, clinical / economic outcomes, evaluation, prevention/treatment of oral mucositis and the role of nurse will be discussed.

Keywords

• hematopoietic stem cell transplant
• chemotherapy
• oral mucositis
• radiotherapy