Title:Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Five Years Literature Review
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Author(s): Areti Gkantaifi*, Emmanouil Vardas, Filippo Alongi, Nikolaos Tsoukalas, Haytham Hamed Saraireh, Nikolaos Charalampakis, Jozsef Lövey, Jiannis Hajiioannou, Efthymios Kyrodimos, Konstantinos Tsanadis, Davide Mauri, Christos Christopoulos, George Iliadis and Maria Tolia
Affiliation:
- Radiotherapy Department, Interbalkan Medical Center, 10 Asclepioustr, 57001 Pylaia, Thessaloniki,Greece
Keywords:
Oral mucositis, radiotherapy, head and neck cancer, interventions, prevention, treatment.
Abstract:
Backround: Radiation-induced oral mucositis consists of a series of relatively frequent
side effects after head and neck cancer radiotherapy and has an adverse impact on both regular
treatment process and the quality of life of patients.
Objective: The purpose of the present review is to optimize the current management of radiation-induced
oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients.
Methods: PubMed database research was performed on articles published since 2015 that demonstrated
efficacy in the management of radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients.
The study selection included observational, prospective, comparative, randomized, double-
blind, placebo-controlled or uncontrolled, and retrospective studies, as well as systematic reviews
and metanalyses.
Results: From the 931 citations obtained from the search, only 94 articles met the inclusion criteria,
including mucosal protectants, anti-inflammatory agents, growth factors, and various miscellaneous
and natural agents. Several methods, including both pharmacological and natural agents,
have been proposed for the management of oral mucositis. In addition to the already known interventions
with strong evidence, according to the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in
Cancer and he International Society of Oral Oncology guidelines, further agents have been used.
However, a great number of them lack clear evidence, which surely requires the design of more
controlled clinical trials for a better assessment of the ideal methods.
Conclusion: The management of oral mucositis constitutes an active area of research. In light of these
results, it is aimed to illustrate those treatment strategies that are most effective regarding the
treatment approach of oral mucositis.
