Stomatitis (also called mucositis) is the presence of inflammation and/or sores (ulcers) in the mouth and throat. A possible side effect of certain types of chemotherapy drugs, stomatitis may occur because certain types of chemotherapy drugs affect rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells and cells in the mouth and throat.
Sores in the mouth and throat may appear 3 to 10 days after certain types of chemotherapy treatment.[1] Symptoms of sores in the mouth and throat may include:
• Redness (due to inflammation) in the mouth and throat
• Sores (called ulcers) in the mouth and throat
• Burning sensation in the mouth and throat
• Other types of discomfort or pain in the mouth and throat
• Difficulty in chewing food
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite, due to difficulty eating, which can result in weight loss
• Difficulty in speaking
• As the lining of the mouth and throat experiences damage, bacterial, fungal, or viral infections in the mouth and throat may occur.
Some pre-existing medical conditions and lifestyle practices that can make chemotherapy-caused stomatitis more severe include:[1]
• Prior poor oral and dental conditions
• Other pre-existing diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or AIDS
• Older age of patient
• Young childhood age of patient
• Older (i.e., geriatric) age of adult patient
• Smoking
• Drinking alcoholic beverages
• Eating harsh (such as dry, scratchy, acidic, spicy, and salty) foods that can irritate the lining of the mouth and throat
Many methods are available to help prevent and manage stomatitis. See our Q&A called, " Is there anything I can do to prevent and manage mouth sores from chemotherapy?"
REFERENCE
1. Managing mouth sores. Accessed at www.chemotherapy.com.
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