Cancer Therapy-Induced Mucositis: Where Are We Now?

Mucositis is a general term for the erythematous, erosive,inflammatory and ulcerative lesions that occur in the mucosallining of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and entire gastrointestinaltract secondary to cytotoxic treatment.1 Mucositiscompromises cancer treatment and impacts healthcare coststhrough increased length of hospital stay, need for nutritionalsupport and the requirement for pharmaceutical prescription.2It can result in death, indirectly through severe malnutrition andattendant complications or directly due to sepsis.