Jornal de Trauma e Tratamento

Oral Mucositis: A Crucial Problem during Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Serap B Yucel, Zeynep Gural, Bilgehan Sahin and Huseyin Kadioglu

Non-surgical cancer treatments are often limited by the presence of side effects and oral mucositis is the most common of these. The current model of mucositis involves a complex mechanism of molecular, cellular, and tissue based changes. A variety of assessment tools exist to monitor symptoms during treatment and multidisciplinary approach is vital to prevent mucositis. Patients require support to deal with the symptoms of mucositis without losing their quality of life. Some agents and protocols may be helpful in the treatment, but most pharmacological approaches remain controversial.