Abstract
4/2024
vol. 16
Guidelines/recommendations
Oral mucositis – characteristics and management of a common complication of cancer treatment
- Klinika Medycyny Paliatywnej, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
- Caritas Diecezji Warszawsko-Praskiej, Warszawa, Polska
Medycyna Paliatywna 2024; 16(4): 221–230
Online publish date: 2024/08/05
Oral mucositis, one of the most common complications of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancers, remains a therapeutic challenge. The pain resulting from erythema and deep ulcerations significantly reduces patients’ quality of life and makes oral food and fluid intake difficult. These effects may lead to malnutrition, dehydration, water-electrolyte imbalance, deterioration of treatment results, or even discontinuation of cancer therapy. The aim of this review is to present current epidemiology, main clinical features, treatment, and prevention recommendations of oral mucositis published by international oncological associations. Additionally, the paper emphasises available activities that may have a positive impact on the quality of life of palliative care patients.
Keywords
oral mucositis, head and neck cancer, palliative care, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, side effects
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