LITERATURE REVIEW ON MUCOSITIS AND A PROPOSED PROTOCOL FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ORAL COMPLICATIONS AFTER AN ANTINEOPLASTIC TREATMENT

• Autor(a) principal: Borges, Marina Garcia
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Outros Autores: Serra Montanha, Natália Milena, Nunes, Nancy Alfieri
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista da Faculdade de Odontologia de Lins (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://www.metodista.br/revistas/revistas-unimep/index.php/Fol/article/view/2270

Introduction: Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world. It occurs in approximately 6% of all diagnosed cancer cases. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy procedures are the forms used in the treatment of head and neck cancer. According to the radiation dose, the form of administration, the extent and location of the irradiated area, the quality and intensity of radiation, and the patient’s individual factors, radiotherapy may cause some side effects in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. Among them are mucositis, xerostomia, osteoradionecrosis, trismus, oral infection, dysphagia, radiation cavities, and periodontal changes. All patients in this treatment develop some degree of oral mucositis, the severity being influenced by patient and treatment factors. Complications of head and neck cancer are among the most devastating in the short and long term, because they affect the most basic human activities, such as eating and speaking. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on oral mucositis and propose a protocol for its prevention and treatment. Material and methods: For this literature review, the study made use of Pub Med, Sciencdirect, Elsevier, Capes, Bireme, Scielo, Medline, Lilacs, and BBO databases. Results: Mucositis is clinically classified into five levels, ranging from erythematic to ulceration, with or without impairment of eating and swallowing activities. Multiple preventive and healing treatments are described in literature for systemic and local approach. Oral hygiene care before, during, and after radiotherapy or chemotherapy is essential to minimize the side effects. Conclusion: Dentists have an important role in the multidisciplinary team in order to prevent, diagnose, and treat patients undergoing cancer treatments.