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Oral Mouth Care and Mucositis

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Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology

Part of the book series: Pediatric Oncology ((PEDIATRICO))

Abstract

Oral mucositis is one of the most common and distressing side effects of cancer therapy and results from damage to the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract due to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Mucositis is characterized by oral erythema, ulceration, and pain and is seen as a continuum from limited patches of mildly sore erythematous mucosae to diffuse areas of painful ulceration and pseudomembranes. The oncology health care team must proactively assess and manage the oral health of pediatric oncology patients before, during and after cancer therapy. This chapter describes the incidence, etiologies, and treatments of oral mucositis and summarizes general oral health care for pediatric oncology patients. Current evidence-based guidelines are reviewed in order to aid pediatric oncology practitioners on best practice for the oral health of their patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Denise Mills MN, NP & Anne Marie Maloney MSN, NP

Authors
  1. Denise Mills MN, NP
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  2. Anne Marie Maloney MSN, NP
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Denise Mills MN, NP .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Childrens Hospital & Research Center Oak, Oakland, California, USA

    James H. Feusner

  2. Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, California, USA

    Caroline A. Hastings

  3. Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, California, USA

    Anurag K. Agrawal

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Mills, D., Maloney, A.M. (2015). Oral Mouth Care and Mucositis. In: Feusner, J., Hastings, C., Agrawal, A. (eds) Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology. Pediatric Oncology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44317-0_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44317-0_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-44316-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-44317-0

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