Dietary intake effects on severity of cancer treatment-induced mucositis: A cross-sectional study

Oral mucositis is one of the most serious complications due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer treatment. Oral mucositis causes a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms, such as ulcers, pain, and dysphagia. Additionally, because of speech limitations, patients' self-esteem will decrease, ultimately causing reduced quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the role of diet in the onset and progress of mucositis induced by chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with cancers.

In this study, 121 patients with a mean age of 51.43 ± 13.08 years were selected randomly and referred to the cancer institute, where they underwent their first phase of chemotherapy. In this step, patients were examined and their severity of oral mucositis was graded according to the World Health Organization criteria. They completed a 3-day allergen food recall and dietary recommendations were met. After completing the forms, four questionnaires were filled out for each patient, the patient's nutrition was analyzed using the N4 software, and the amount of macro- and micronutrients was measured.

Micronutrients such as aspartic acid, glycine, serine, proline, alanine, arginine, glutamic acid, and vitamin B12 and macronutrients such as rose water, sausage, beverages, coffee, and lamb meat were examined, and a significant difference was observed between groups (grade 1 and 2 mucositis) (p < 0.005). In patients with grade 2 mucositis, a lower level of vitamin B12 was reported (p < 0.005). There is a negative correlation between amounts of macro- and micronutrients and grades of oral mucositis.

It can be concluded that diet plays a considerable role in the severity of oral mucositis caused by cancer treatment.