Mucositis: biology and management

Oral mucositis is a common regimen-limiting toxicity of radiation therapy and concomitant radiosensitizing chemotherapy for treatment of head and neck cancers. In addition to its symptomatic impact, oral mucositis increases the likelihood of unplanned breaks or delays in treatment, reduction in chemotherapy dose, use of feeding tube placement or total parenteral nutrition, the need for an intravenous line, opioid use and hospitalization.

Recent research has demonstrated that chemoradiation-induced mucosal injury is the result of a complex series of biological and cellular events that take place predominantly in the submucosa, with the epithelium being the target tissue. From these findings, novel biologically based preventive treatments are being developed, with a number of agents currently in clinical trials. The implications of recent advancements in radiation therapy treatment planning and delivery are also considered.

Mucositis is a common and serious complication secondary to chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer that has a profound effect on morbidity, compliance and treatment outcomes. Currently available interventions are directed at minimizing local radiation exposure and providing symptomatic relief. In the near future, a number of new treatment modalities can be expected to be introduced for reduction of severity and duration of mucositis.