ORAL MUCOSITIS -MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL BY ORAL PHYSICIAN

Oral mucositis also called stomatitis, is one of the most common and troublesome forms in individual undergoing cancer treatment. Oncology treatment does not distinguish between the malignant cells and normal epithelial cells of mucosa because of their high proliferative capacity. Thus, the mucosa becomes atrophic, and more susceptible to trauma, allowing the development of inflammation and installation of secondary infection, which aggravates the patient’s clinical conditions and reduce the quality of life. The clinical management of mucositis includes preventive and palliative strategies. The role of the oral physician in prevention and management of chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced mucositis is critical.