Highlights & Basics
- Oral mucositis is an acute inflammation of the oral mucosa following systemic cancer therapy and/or radiation therapy. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical history and physical exam.
- Clinical presentation varies from erythema to patchy or confluent ulceration with a superficial pseudomembranous membrane or, rarely, overt necrosis.
- If severe, may warrant an undesirable dose-reduction and/or a break in cancer therapy.
- Lesions are often very painful. Treatment is symptomatic and includes oral hygiene and pain control.
- Preventive treatments include palifermin (during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), low-level laser therapy, and use of ice-chips during chemotherapy infusion therapy.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Mucositis: buccal mucosa
Mucositis: dorsolateral tongue
Candidal pseudomembranes on the palate, third week of radiation therapy for the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It was diagnosed during the regular, weekly examination. Patient reported xerostomia and mild discomfort
Oral herpes virus infection presenting as painful ulcers covered by pseudomembranes on the right side of the dorsum of the tongue. Diagnosed during the third week of radiation therapy for the management of the maxillary sinus carcinoma. Responded to acyclovir
Clinical criteria for differential diagnosis of oral mucositis from candidiasis and herpes simplex virus infection
Citations
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Elad S, Cheng KKF, Lalla RV, et al. MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of mucositis secondary to cancer therapy. Cancer. 2020 Oct 1;126(19):4423-31.[Abstract][Full Text]
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