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Chemotherapy-Related Mucositis

Eric L. Fisher, MD and Steven A. House, HMDC, FAAHPM, FAAFP, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A condition affecting any part of the alimentary tract (most commonly the oral cavity), associated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy

  • Mucositis ranges from erythema to erosion to ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Clinical diagnosis is made based on the appearance of oral mucosal changes and pain or GI symptoms within 7 days of initiation of chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

  • Pain, odynophagia...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Mucositis often treated by oncologists. Treatment involves pain control, nutritional support during periods of decreased oral intake, prevention of and monitoring for seconda...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Pain, hydration, and nutrition status 

DIET

  • Avoid foods that require significant chewing.

  • Bland—avoid dry, acidic, spicy, or salty foods.

  • Frequent i...

REFERENCES

1
Lalla  RV, Sonis  ST, Peterson  DE. Management of oral mucositis in patients with cancer. Dent Clin North Am.  2008; 52(1): 61– 77, viii....

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Alessandro V, Vollemans M, De Moraes A, et al. Concordance of the WHO, RTOG, CTCAE v4.0 grading scales for the evaluation of oral mucositis associated with chemoradiation...

CODES

ICD10

K12.31 Oral mucositis (ulcerative) due to antineoplastic therapy 

SNOMED

109256003 Mucositis following chemotherapy (disorder) 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Mucositis often occurs in patients receiving chemotherapy and usually involves the mouth, but it can affect any part of the GI tract.

  • Honey, glutamine, or zinc as well as oral benzydami...

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