Mucositis
Also known as: oral mucositis, stomatitis
Painful inflammation of the mouth and gut lining that can occur during cancer treatment.
Definition
Mucositis is inflammation and breakdown of the moist lining (mucosa) of the mouth, throat or rest of the digestive tract. It is a common side effect of certain chemotherapy regimens, of radiation to the head and neck, and of high-dose treatment before a stem-cell transplant.
Symptoms include a sore mouth, painful swallowing, ulcers and sometimes diarrhoea. Good oral hygiene, gentle mouth rinses, hydration, soft bland food and prescribed pain relief or topical agents reduce severity. Severe mucositis can interfere with eating and may need fluids and nutritional support.
See also
- Chemotherapy — Drug treatment that kills cancer cells throughout the body.
- Radiation Therapy — Treatment that uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells in a targeted area.
- Antiemetic — A medicine that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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