Mucositis

Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract from the mouth on down to the anus.

Mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy and of radiotherapy that involves any part of the digestive tract.

Mucositis affects the rapidly dividing mucosal cells lining the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines.

These cells normally have a short life span.

The therapy can destroy the cells quickly and they are not replaced right away.

There may be raw sores (ulcers) in the mouth and throat.

One may have a feeling a little like getting a sunburn in the throat.

It is painful, can interfere with eating, and may require pain medication for a week or two until the tissues recover.

Mucositis due to chemotherapy typically begins 3 to 5 days after the start of therapy, peaks at 7 to 10 days, and slowly subsides over the next week.

Mucositis due to radiation usually appears toward the end of the second week of treatment, plateaus during the fourth week of radiation, and may persist for 2 to 3 weeks after treatment is over.

Mucositis is a consequence of contemporary cytotoxic (cell-killing) therapy for cancer.

It is also the primary cause of pain for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants.

The major complications of mucositis are pain, infections and, less often, hemorrhage (bleeding).

Good mouth care is essential.

Infection calls for prompt antibiotic treatment.