Treatment modalities for chemo--and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis--critical analysis and practical guidelines

Oral mucositis (OM), an inevitable side effect of almost all anti-cancer treatments, affects the patient's physiological functions and their psychological well being. In spite of numerous treatment modalities for this condition, there is still a lack of evidence-based clinical trials that can provide a single efficient pharmacologic agent or intervention for either prevention or treatment of OM. This study analyses and summarizes some of the more "accepted" modalities for treatment of OM. It is recommended that these modalities rely on simple, convenient and innocuous interventions, which should be adjusted for each individual complaint. Well-designed, controlled and standardized studies are necessary to validate effectiveness of available, as well as newly developed interventions for OM.