Mucositis

Mucositis






The mucous membrane is the soft tissue layer lining the digestive system and when there is inflammation on this lining it causes mucositis. It is a condition of painful inflammation causing ulcer like growth on the digestive tract lining. Very often, this condition is caused as a side effect for people who undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer.

Mucositis can occur in the mouth (oral mucositis), stomach (gastrointestinal mucositis) and anus. This condition is quite expected for patients who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy for cancer.

Causes :

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy given for treating cancer emit powerful rays to destroy the cancer causing cells. Meanwhile, they destroy the healthy cells of the DNA molecules present in the mucous membrane causing inflammation on the tract. It happens as a chain reaction. Initially the damaged cells give out some toxic molecules which in turn cause further damage to the neighboring cells. This continues and rapidly spreads to the entire lining of the mouth or abdomen. Very often, cancer patients will develop mucositis as a side effect of chemotherapy. However, if the cancerous cells are on the breast (Breast Cancer) there is no chance for chemotherapy to cause mucositis since the pathway is far out of reach from the mouth or stomach.

Just like chemotherapy, biological therapy would also damage the lining of mucus membrane causing mucositits.

Types :

Basically two types of mucositis are available. One is oral mucositis affecting the lining of mouth and esophagus and the other is gastrointestinal mucositis affecting the soft tissues of the digestive system.

Symptoms :

Oral Mucositis :

The soft mucosal lining of the area gets inflamed. It becomes red and looks like ulcerous growth. The ulcer may start developing during the second week beginning. The ulcerous growth may measure from 0.5 – 4cm in diameter and it may cause severe pain in the mouth or affected area. Ulcers develop on the tongue and even on the oral cavity. The intensity of pain will depend on the extent on which the inner lining tissue is damaged due to chemotherapy.

Many people will get burning sensation on the mouth with reddish sores. Difficulty in eating and talking are other signs of mucositis. In some cases, there may be bloody discharge with pain from the affected area.

In addition, there may be dysgeusia, a condition of irregularity in perceiving taste is common for patients who undergo radiation therapy in mouth and neck.

Gastrointestinal Mucositis :

Patients with abdominal cancer or pelvic cancer are affected with GI mucositis and the symptoms are Diarrhea, swelling and pain in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, bloating sensation, bloody discharge in stool, difficulty in swallowing and sickness.

Who are at risk?

Young people are at risk of getting oral mucositis. The person who has dry mouth when taking treatment for cancer will have more risk for getting mucositis than others. Similarly one who receives high dosage of drugs for chemotherapy and those who undergo stem cell transplant will get ulcerous inflammation rapidly.

Pictures of Mucositis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Mucositis

Treatment :

Topical ointments are to be applied using a cotton swab inside the mouth or oral cavity. Some medicines are to be swallowed inside. You can also try painkiller medications like lidocaine and benzocaine for reducing the inflammation and pain. In case of bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe amphotericin or clotrimazole for treating the infection. Antacids and sucralfate are given for treating sores and healing ulcers.

You need to maintain good oral hygiene for preventing oral mucositis by brushing your teeth twice regularly. Avoid smoking and using tobacco in any form.

Palifermin is given for treating patients who undergo stem cell transplant and subsequently have developed oral mucositis. Low level laser therapy is also given for managing oral mucositis.

In case of GI mucositis, you should take plenty of fluids to keep well hydrated and to control diarrhea. Further you need to change your diet routine for adjusting to low residue diet. Loperamide is given to control diarrhea

Mucositis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Mucositis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What is Mucositis?

Mucositis or also known as oral and gastrointestinal mucositis is a condition that develops right after the start of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These therapies are indicated for patients with cancer, and those affected with mucositis are cancer patients. It has been reported that this oral condition develops right after 5 to 10 days of chemotherapy, while it take 14 days to appear after starting radiotherapy.

The condition generally causes pain and start of an inflammatory process to our mucous membranes; mouth, stomach and anal area. This is due to the fact that the soft layer of tissues is sensitive.

Types of Mucositis

There are two types of mucositis:

Oral mucositis

This occurs in the mouth and can be very painful that it impedes vital functions of the mouth. Mouth Sores are the developed form of oral mucositis.

Gastrointestinal mucositis

This shall involve the gastric system that would predominantly cause Diarrhea.

According to reports, this condition is quite common because of the fact that there are a great number of cancer patients who undergo treatment. In order to diagnose such condition, we need to assess the oral membranes of the client. An ultrasound may be necessary in order to diagnose for gastrointestinal mucositis. CT scan would also provide good picture of the affectation of the gastric mucositis.

Mucositis Symptoms

The symptoms of mucositis would vary with the area of affection:

Oral mucositis

The condition would affect the oral mucous membranes of the mouth. The person shall feel soreness, most triggered by eating or drinking hot or spicy foods. The affected areas of the oral membranes are the tongue, insides of the cheeks and the lips. Ulcer formation cannot be avoided that it results to difficulty in speaking, drinking and chewing food.
Gastrointestinal mucositis

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This would include diarrhea, melena (Blood In Stool), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing food), nausea and bloating. These symptoms persist when the patient is undergoing radiotherapy.

Mucositis Causes

The cause for mucositis is from cancer treatment; chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These mentioned treatments causes mucositis because of killing the cancers cells with the tendency of harm the healthy cells. The area of affectation is the mucous membranes, as this is noted as sensitive and susceptible to damage. The effect of these cancer treatments is damaging the DNA cells of the lining of our mucous membranes. As this occur, the damaged cells would eventually release toxic chemicals that further damage the mucous membranes. There would also be a quick affectation of the neighboring areas, which is why spread of the condition is fast.

Another form of treatment that causes mucositis is biological therapy. This treatment course involves use of protein inhibitor that avoids cancer cell growth.

Those at risk for developing such condition are the following:

• Young age – Most especially the youngsters who are undergoing cancer treatment at a young age are quite susceptible of developing the condition.


• Oral hygiene deficiency – Those who leave the mouth dry after a cancer therapy would make one susceptible for mucositis. Not brushing the teeth regularly can also precipitate mucositis development.


• Higher dose of cancer therapy – Those who receive a higher dose of treatment are at risk of developing mucositis.

Mucositis Treatment

Treatment for mucositis would include the following:

Oral care
Right after the treatment, make sure that one checks his or oral membranes. When signs of mucositis are noted, informing the doctor can help avoid the development of the condition. It is highly advised that the one should brush his or her teeth every after meal. One should not use heavy bristled brushes and should resolve to soft bristled brushes. Flossing may not be recommended as a regular hygiene practice, for it may damage the gums. It is only advised when it is necessary. Rinsing the mouth for about 5 to 6 times a day is recommended, but one should not use highly acidic rinses or that contains alcohol.

Analgesics
These are recommended in order to lessen the discomfort that one is experiencing from the mucositis. NSAIDS are provided and are good pain relievers.

Low-level laser therapy
This is a form of treatment that helps reduce oral mucositis. This shall involve emission of low-energy lasers to the affected area.

Increase oral fluid intake
This is recommended most especially to patients who are suffering from diarrhea. This is because of their susceptibility from dehydration.

Diet
The recommended diet for those who suffer from mucositis includes low-residue. This is to reduce the frequency of the stools. One can eat cereals, white rice, noodles, cooked veggies, lean meat & fish and eggs.

Loperamide or octreotide
This is provided to clients who suffer from diarrhea. Octreotide is much recommended for those who do not respond from loperamide treatment.