Oral mucositis is a painful inflammatory condition affecting the mouth's mucous membranes, commonly occurring as a side effect of cancer treatments. This debilitating complication significantly impacts patients' quality of life, nutrition, and treatment adherence, making effective management crucial.
The condition primarily affects patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head and neck region. These treatments target rapidly dividing cancer cells but also damage the fast-growing cells lining the mouth. Within days of starting treatment, the protective mucous membrane breaks down, creating painful ulcerations and inflammation throughout the mouth, tongue, and throat.
Symptoms progress through stages, beginning with mild redness and sensitivity, advancing to painful ulcers that make eating, drinking, and speaking extremely difficult. Severe cases lead to bleeding, infection risk, and inability to maintain adequate nutrition. Studies show that up to 40 percent of chemotherapy patients and 80 percent of head-neck radiation patients develop oral mucositis.
Management combines preventive measures and symptomatic relief. Before cancer treatment, dental evaluations address existing oral health issues that might worsen mucositis. During treatment, meticulous oral hygiene with gentle brushing and frequent salt-water rinses helps maintain cleanliness without further irritation.
Pain management is essential for patient comfort and nutrition maintenance. Topical anesthetics like viscous lidocaine provide temporary relief, while systemic pain medications may be necessary for severe cases. Some patients require feeding tubes when oral intake becomes impossible.
Emerging treatments show promise. Palifermin, a growth factor medication, reduces mucositis incidence in certain cancer types. Low-level laser therapy decreases inflammation and promotes healing. Cryotherapy, holding ice chips during chemotherapy infusions, reduces oral tissue drug exposure.
Prevention strategies include avoiding irritating foods, alcohol, and tobacco while maintaining excellent hydration and nutrition to support tissue repair and immune function.