Risk Factors of Vera-Llonch et al for Oral Mucositis Associated with Radiation Therapy for a Head and Neck Cancer

 

Patient selection: head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy

 

Most patients developed oral mucositis with almost a third having severe oral mucositis.

 

Risk factors for oral mucositis:

(1) nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal cancer

(2) cumulative radiation dose > 5,000 cGy

(3) concomitant chemotherapy

 

Complications of the oral mucositis:

(1) unplanned delays or breaks in therapy

(2) reduction in chemotherapy dose

(3) insertion of a feeding tube and/or TPN

(4) indwelling intravenous line

(5) readmission to the hospital