Backround: Radiation induced oral mucositis consists of a series of relatively frequent
side effects after head and neck cancer radiotherapy and has an adverse impact on
both regular treatment process and the quality of life of patients.The purpose of
the present review is to optimize the current management of radiation induced oral
mucositis in head and neck cancer patients.PubMed database research was performed
on articles published since 2015 that demonstrated efficacy in the management of radiation
induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients.The study selection included
observa-tional, prospective, comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
or uncontrolled, and retrospective studies, as well as systematic reviews and metanalyses.From
the 931 citations of our search only 94 articles met our inclusion criteria including
mucosal protectants, anti-inflammatory agents, growth factors, and various miscellaneous
and natural agents. Several methods including both pharmacological and natural agents
have been proposed for the management of oral mucositis. In addition to the already
known interventions with high evidence, according to Multinational Association of
Supportive Care in Cancer and International Society of Oral Oncology guidelines, further
agents have been used. However, a great number of them are lacking of clear evidence,
which surely requires the design of more controlled clinical trials for the better
assessment of the most ideal methods.The management of oral mucositis constitutes
an active area of research. In the light of our results we aim to illustrate those
treatment strategies that are most effective regarding the treatment approach of oral
mucositis.
