Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Patients undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: The chemotherapy is one of the cancer possible treatments and use chemotherapeutic drugs as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), major cause of oral mucositis. This complication is the most common cause of pain.  There is still no specific protocol for the prevention of this complication, but there are substances used empirically and palliative. Objective: Assessing the degree of mucositis during the 10 days after each chemotherapy cycle using the self-perception of each patient and the pain level reported with the use of the two substances studied: mallow tea and 0,12% chlorhexidine. Method: The selected patients were randomly randomized to perform mouthwash with 10 ml of the test substance, 3 times a day, during the infusion time of chemotherapy. In each accompanied cycle one of the studied substances were used. During the 10 days after chemotherapy, patients answered a questionnaire with closed questions about their pain and self-perception of their oral mucosa. Results: in cycles where mallow tea was used, selfperception of patients seems to be better with your oral mucositis is grade 1 and 2. However, in cycles where 0,12% chlorhexidine was used, patients experienced less pain. Conclusion: In both cycles that was used at 0.12% chlorhexidine was used as those where the mauve tea, most of the patients reported oral mucositis present. However, when used mauve tea was obtained mucositis in minor degrees. The 0.12% chlorhexidine it appeared to have less pain symptoms, although the difference was small when compared to the two substances.