ORAL MUCOSITIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT

Abstract

In general terms, neoplastic conditions are characterized by increasing in cell proliferation and decreasing in cell apoptosis. The multiplication of atypical neoplastic cells, through their invasive capacity, leads to the infiltration of tissues or organs through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. In this context, chemotherapy remains one of the most used treatment modalities, contrary to the progress made in recent years regarding the management of cancer in the Oro-Maxillo-Facial (OMF) sphere. This is applied either alone or associated with other therapeutic methods to block abnormal cell proliferation. The great inconvenience of chemotherapy is the lack of selectivity because it acts both on tumor cells and normal cells in the body. The oral cavity is very vulnerable to the direct and indirect toxic effects of chemotherapy. This fact is primarily due to local peculiarities that include: a high rate of mucosal cell turnover, the presence of a complex and diverse microflora in the oral cavity as well as the small traumatic injuries present as a result of the exercise of normal oral functions (mastication, swallowing, phonation).

Keywords

• mucositis
• chemotherapy
• xerostomia
• inflammation
• bleeding