What causes mucositis?
Mucositis occurs when cancer treatments break down the rapidly divided epithelial cells lining the gastro-intestinal tract (which goes from the mouth to the anus), leaving the mucosal tissue open to ulceration and infection.
What does mucositis mean?
Mucositis is when your mouth or gut is sore and inflamed. It’s a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer. Although mucositis is usually painful, it can be treated. It should get better within a few weeks of finishing cancer treatment.
What are the symptoms of oral mucositis?
What are the signs and symptoms of mucositis?
- Red, shiny, or swollen mouth and gums.
- Blood in the mouth.
- Sores in the mouth, including on the gums or tongue.
- Soreness or pain in the mouth or throat.
- Trouble with swallowing or talking.
- Feeling of dryness, mild burning, or pain when eating food.
How do you treat gastrointestinal mucositis?
However, there are also some treatments available to reduce the symptoms of oral mucositis, such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), honey, antibiotic pastilles and palifermin. Treatment for gastrointestinal mucositis aims to reduce the main symptoms of the condition, such as diarrhoea and inflammation.
How long does it take for mucositis to heal?
Healing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Mucositis caused by radiation therapy usually lasts 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how long you have radiation treatment.
What is gastrointestinal mucositis?
Intestinal mucositis can be defined as inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract that leads to structural, functional, and immunological changes. Given that it cannot be visually inspected, it is typically diagnosed via clinical symptoms or relevant biomarkers.
What is gastrointestinal mucositis ulcerative?
Mucositis is defined as inflammatory and/or ulcerative lesions of the oral and/or gastrointestinal tract. Infectious disease, immune deficiency and medications can be causative. One of the major causes of mucositis is high-dose cancer therapy.
What is recommended for oral mucositis?
The MASCC/ISOO guidelines recommend the use of cryotherapy to reduce oral mucositis in patients receiving bolus doses of 5-fluorouracil, melphalan and edatrexate 51. Ice chips are placed in the mouth, beginning 5 minutes before administration of chemotherapy and replenished as needed for up to 30 minutes.