Oral mucositis in head and neck cancer: Evidence-based management and review of clinical trial data

• Published in: Oral oncology 2019-08, Vol.95, p.29-34
• Main Authors: Blakaj, Adriana, Bonomi, Marcelo, Gamez, Mauricio E., Blakaj, Dukagjin M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemo-radiation; Chemotherapy; Head and neck cancer; Oral mucositis; Radiotherapy
• ISSN: 1368-8375; 1879-0593
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.05.013

•Oral Mucositis is a common clinical manifestation of head and neck cancer patients.•Oral Mucositis is a dose-limiting toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.•Management of this entity is often an oncologic challenge.•Prevention and management measures are key for symptom control. Oral Mucositis (OM) continues to be an oncologic challenge in the context of antineoplastic therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. It is a dose-limiting toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation treatment and negatively impacts quality of life and cancer treatment efficacy. Significant effort in the field of OM has been made to help alleviate its symptoms and its subsequent clinical and economic impact. Despite these advances, the treatment of oral mucositis remains difficult and focuses on palliative measures. There are, however, many promising new biological targets currently undergoing investigation to ameliorate or help prevent the toxicity of OM in HNC. Some of these targets undergoing investigation in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials are further highlighted along with the pathobiology of OM, clinical course, prevention, and management measures.