Oral mucositis: adverse effect of cancer therapy

Abstract

The collateral effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy have determinant impact in patient’s quality of life. Among oral complications resulting of cancer therapy, mucositis stands out as an acute effect of high frequency and the major doselimiting factor for head and neck radiotherapy. Despite the enormous available arsenal, the treatment of mucositis has shown supportive and palliative characteristics, with relief of  symptoms and other complications such as dehydration, cachexia and infections. The purpose of this article is to make a literature review about the treatments that odontology uses in the management of oral mucositis with the aim of contributing for better life quality of patients during  and after cancer therapy.