Management of Oral Mucositis Induced by Cancer Therapy: A Review of Pharmacological Prevention and Treatment

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common side effect of cancer treatment that results in painful mucosal ulceration, decreased oral intake, and diminished quality of life. Although supportive care has made improvements, there is still a problem with its prevention and treatment. This mini-review examines the pharmacological prevention and management of cancer therapy-induced OM with emphasis on clinical evidence and limitations. Benzydamine, palifermin (in certain high-risk groups), and nutritional agents of varying levels of evidence are used in preventive interventions. Treatment of mucositis once it has occurred is based on topical and systemic analgesics and treatment of secondary infections and complications. There is some inconsistent evidence for mucosal-protective and tissue-repair agents, and it is important to differentiate between symptom relief and improvement of mucosal function. The choice of intervention should depend on the patient's cancer treatment plan, the severity of the mucositis, and the patient's characteristics. More carefully designed clinical trials with consistent endpoints are required to determine comparative effectiveness and to maximize tailored management.