Premium
Management of cancer therapy‐induced oral mucositis
Author(s) -
BARASCH ANDREI,
EPSTEIN JOEL B.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2011.01434.x
Subject(s) - mucositis , medicine , cancer , oral mucosa , radiation therapy , intensive care medicine , dermatology , cancer therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , stomatitis , surgery , pathology , nursing
The oral mucosa is a common site for collateral damage of cancer therapies, including radiation, cytotoxic medication, and newer targeted therapies. Ulcerative oral mucositis is typically painful and affects oral functions including speech, and oral intake of food and medications, thus impacting the quality of life. Denuded epithelium may also provide access of oral microbial flora to the deeper tissues and the circulation. Prevention of oral mucositis is an ongoing quest currently with relatively few answers. In this chapter, the present authors discuss the evidence and current practice for prophylaxis and management of this treatment side effect in cancer patients.