Management of Oral Ulceration

Abstract

The oral cavity is a common site of the origin of malignancy. It is also commonly affected by secondary infection and therapeutic modalities, such as radiation and chemotherapy. The symptom complex resulting from oral pathology includes pain and the inability to swallow. The secondary effects of compromised deglutition or swallowing are a decrease in food intake and an impoverished nutritional state which contributes to the inability of the local ulcerations to heal. The management of mouth care is therefore an extremely important aspect of cancer care, not only for patients with cancer of the head and neck, but also for patients on therapy programs which may cause secondary oral irritation. This chapter will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of oral ulcerations primarily induced by chemotherapy and on prophylaxis programs for oral hygiene to prevent or minimize local mucositis.