Prevention and management of oral mucositis induced by antineoplastic therapy

Oral complications almost always occur as a consequence of treatment for head and neck cancer. In addition, approximately 40% of patients with nonhead and neck malignancies develop oral problems following exposure to chemotherapeutic agents and x-ray therapy. Patient-related risk factors for these problems include the type of malignancy, patient age, and the level of oral health before and during therapy. The authors discuss direct and indirect stomatotoxicity and present an overview of various methods of ameliorating and/or preventing oral mucositis.