Oncological-Therapy Related Oral Mucositis as an Interdisciplinary Problem—Literature Review

Aida Kusiak, Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa, Dominika Cichońska and Daniela Alterio
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Aida Kusiak: Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa: Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20141 Milan, Italy
Dominika Cichońska: Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
Daniela Alterio: Division of Radiation Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Oral mucositis is a toxic side effect of non-surgical cancer treatments: chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which strongly impair quality of life and can not only cause strong pain, but also lead to problems with basic physiological needs as eating and swallowing. Development of oral mucositis is associated with type, dosage, and schedule of radiation or chemotherapy and other factors related to patients. Management of oral mucositis is a valid problem, requiring topical application of anesthetics, coating agents, cryotherapy, low level laser therapy, pharmacological methods as usage of keratinocyte growth factors, supplementation of vitamins, and a proper diet. Another approach to oral mucositis measurement includesphotobiomodulation, which brings analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.Although oral mucositis is a general health issues, the role of proper dental care is essential. It should include elimination of all potential sources of mucosal injury and microorganisms inhabiting theoral cavity through oral hygiene education, professional management ofdental plaque, and treatment of the caries and periodontium, which are necessary to reduce the risk of inflammation in the oral cavity. This paper describes the possibilities of monitoring oral mucositis, taking into account the latest therapeutic achievements.

Keywords: oral mucositis; oral cavity; oral mucosa; treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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