Managing Mouth Sores
Mouth sores are a common side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs as well as radiation to the head.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy kill rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells. However, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the mouth and the throat, is made up of cells that divide rapidly.
For this reason, the GI tract is particularly susceptible to damage from chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Chemotherapy- or radiation-induced damage to the cells lining the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract is called mucositis. This side effect of cancer treatment can significantly affect quality of life and may cause delays in treatment.
While side effects can cause delays in treatment, it's important to stick to a treatment schedule for best results. Find out more about chemotherapy cycles and schedules.
Diagnosing Mouth Sores
Symptoms of mouth sores commonly occur 3 to 10 days following treatment with chemotherapy. You may experience a burning sensation followed by ulcers, and your mouth may appear red (inflammation) with sores (ulcerations). You may also experience discomfort and pain.
- Mouth sores can make chewing and swallowing difficult, interfering with your nutrition and food intake, resulting in weight loss.
- Your speech may also be compromised.
- Because the lining of your mouth also serves to protect you against infection, mouth sores make you more susceptible to bacterial, fungal, or viral infections in the mouth.
- Ultimately, mouth sores can become severe enough that it is necessary to reduce your chemotherapy dose or delay your treatment in order to allow your mouth to heal.
Treatment That Makes Mouth Sores Worse
While mouth sores can occur with any treatment for cancer, oral mucositis is more severe if you receive the following:
- High-dose chemotherapy or radiation with stem cell transplants
- Radiation for head and neck cancer
- Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy
The technique used to administer radiation may also impact the severity and duration of mouth sores. The following radiation techniques tend to produce less severe mouth sores:
- Hyperfractionated radiation involves lower doses administered more frequently, resulting in less severe mouth sores.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) spares normal tissues, reducing mouth sores, while still delivering the full radiation dose or even an increased dose to the cancer.
Your doctor may suggest combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy. Find out more about how cancer is treated with radiation therapy.
Other Factors That Make Mouth Sores Worse
A number of other factors contribute to the severity of mouth sores, including:
- Poor oral and dental health prior to treatment
- Kidney disease
- Age—younger children or older adults
- Smoking and the use of chewing tobacco during episodes of mucositis
- Harsh foods and alcohol
- Concomitant disease (disease occurring at the same time), such as diabetes or AIDS
Preventing and Treating Mouth Sores
Treatment for mouth sores generally consists of good oral care, mouthwashes, and cryotherapy (sucking on ice chips).
Oral Care
Good oral care helps prevent mouth sores:
- Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution 2 or 3 times per day.
- Brush your teeth 2 or 3 times per day with a soft toothbrush.
Mouthwashes
A mouthwash of salt and soda may relieve mouth sores as well as medicated mouthwashes and is less expensive.28
Cryotherapy (Ice Chips)
You can relieve mouth pain by sucking ice chips when the chemotherapy drug is most concentrated in the body.
This technique, called cryotherapy, works by decreasing blood flow to the cells in the mouth, reducing exposure to the drug and decreasing the risk of developing mouth sores.
Learn more about how you can best manage other types of chemotherapy side effects.
UNDERSTANDING CANCER
TREATING CANCER WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS
TREATING CANCER IN OTHER WAYS
TRACKING YOUR TEST RESULTS
UNDERSTANDING INSURANCE AND TAX ISSUES: INSURANCE TIPS
WEB RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS
TOOLS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR CANCER INFORMATION
FOR CAREGIVERS
GLOSSARY OF CANCER TERMS
REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS
FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
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