Chemotherapy protocols and incidence of oral mucositis. An integrative review

Abstract

This review aimed to analyze the scientific production on severity of oral mucositis as an adverse effect of chemotherapy. To this end, we performed a search at PubMed databases combining the keywords “oral mucositis” and “chemotherapy protocol”. To describe the investigation, the following variables were considered: journal, year/place, study design, sample, protocol used and incidence of oral mucositis. A total of 547 articles were retrieved, of which 26 were selected. Out of these 26, only 2 reported severity of oral mucositis; the others only reported the presence of the condition. Protocols for treating different types of carcinoma were evaluated in 16 (61.53%) studies, for hematological malignancies in 6 (23.07%), and for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 4 (15.4%). Protocols for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation entail a high risk for oral mucositis, just as chemotherapy with cytarabine and high-dose 5-fluorouracil, alkylating agents and platinumbased compounds. To provide the best prevention and treatment for oral mucositis, it is essential to know the chemotherapy protocols used and their effects on the oral cavity.

Avaliação do Impacto da Higiene Oral Associada ao Uso do Chá de Camomila no Desenvolvimento de Mucosite Oral: Estudo-Piloto

“…The chemotherapy drugs most associated with the development of OM reported in the literature are Fluorouracil (5-FU), Cyclophosphamide and Cisplatin 26 . In a study conducted by Curra et al 2 (cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin) aggravated the incidence and severity of OM from one cycle to the next 2 .…”

“…It is known that not all chemotherapeutic agents are equally stomatotoxic or cause the same effects on oral tissues to the point of inducing OM. The development of OM depends on the immunological response of each patient, as well as factors related to cancer therapy, such as number of sessions, association of different drugs, among other variables 2 . In the present study, cytotoxic drugs for the oral cavity were selected because they increase the predisposition to the development of mucositis as described at Curra et al 2 .…”

“…The development of OM depends on the immunological response of each patient, as well as factors related to cancer therapy, such as number of sessions, association of different drugs, among other variables 2 . In the present study, cytotoxic drugs for the oral cavity were selected because they increase the predisposition to the development of mucositis as described at Curra et al 2 . However, it is important to point out that the groups differed in some types of chemotherapy agents as well as in tumor classification, and these aspects should be considered as limitations of the present study.…”

“…Chemotherapy works on cells that have high mitotic activity but its action is not exclusive in tumor cells. It also affects normal labile cells, as oral mucosa keratinocytes, which can lead to undesirable side effects such as oral mucositis and opportunistic infections 2 .…”

Influence of Genetic Variation in COMT on Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Cancer Patients

“…Of the patients who developed AKI grade 3, 52% were diagnosed with head or neck tumors (Table 3). Thirteen out of these 14 patients with this tumor type were treated by chemoradiotherapy (including cisplatin) which caused mucositis in up to 97% of the patients [16]. Oral mucositis can cause severe pain, which complicates drinking and is, therefore, a causal factor for dehydration.…”