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What is
Oral Mucositis?
Oral mucositis is a painful condition affecting
the lining (the mucosa) of the mouth and
throat.1 Although cancer treatments mainly
attack cancer cells, some healthy tissue such as
the mucosa may also be damaged. Consequently,
oral mucositis is a common side effect of many
chemotherapy regimens, as well as radiation
treatment to cancers of the head and neck. As a
result nearly all patients with cancer of the
head and neck and 40% or more patients on high
dose chemotherapy experience oral mucositis.13 If severe enough, oral mucositis can cause a
delay in cancer treatment or a reduction in drug
dose due to a patient’s inability to maintain
proper nutrition as a result of being unable to
eat adequately.
What should I be looking
for?
Am I at risk for oral
mucositis?
If you are receiving
chemotherapy or
radiation
to
the head and/or neck, you are at risk
for oral mucositis.
People who smoke, drink
alcohol, don’t practice
daily oral care, wear
ill-fitting braces or
dentures, and/or have
dry mouth while
receiving chemotherapy
or
radiation are at greater
risk for oral mucositis3,4.
It is important for you
to keep a close watch on
the inside of your mouth
during cancer treatment
and report any changes
to a health care
professional right away.
How does oral mucositis
progress?
*From start of
chemotherapy or
radiation. |
