Mouth Sores From Cancer Treatment

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

Why might people get mouth sores from cancer treatment? " пїЅ Mouth sores are a common side effect of a cancer treatment called chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the term doctors use to describe a group of medicines that kill cancer cells. пїЅ пїЅ

Not everyone who is treated with chemotherapy will get mouth sores. It depends on the chemotherapy medicines and doses you get. When mouth sores happen, they usually start shortly after the chemotherapy starts. They are often worst about 1 week after the chemotherapy starts. пїЅ пїЅ

Another cancer treatment, called radiation therapy, can also cause mouth sores. Mouth sores happen only when people are treated with radiation to their head or neck. Mouth sores usually happen within the first 2 to 3 weeks of radiation therapy. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of mouth sores from cancer treatment? " пїЅ Mouth sores usually start as red areas or a burning feeling in the mouth. The sores can then become raised white patches and, later on, open sores that are often painful. Mouth sores can also cause a sore throat. пїЅ пїЅ

A persons symptoms can be mild or severe. Some people have mouth and throat sores that are very painful. This can cause trouble swallowing and make it too painful to eat or drink. пїЅ пїЅ

Can mouth sores be prevented? " пїЅ To help prevent mouth sores, see your dentist before you start cancer treatment. He or she can check your teeth and do any dental work you need. пїЅ пїЅ

In some cases, people can lower their chance of getting mouth sores if they chew ice chips right before their chemotherapy. пїЅ пїЅ

Doctors are studying other ways to prevent mouth sores. Your doctor might recommend a medicine or procedure before your cancer treatment starts. пїЅ пїЅ

What can I do on my own to manage my mouth sores? " пїЅ To help reduce symptoms and help your mouth sores heal, you can: пїЅ пїЅ

• Change your diet " пїЅ Try to avoid spicy, salty, or dry foods, or foods with sharp edges (like chips) that could cut your mouth. You should also avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Keep your mouth clean " пїЅ Rinse out your mouth with water each time after you eat.
• Keep your dentures clean " пїЅ Remove and clean your dentures often.
• Use a soft toothbrush or foam swab (if they don't hurt you) to clean your teeth
• See your dentist for regular follow-ups

What other treatments can help? " пїЅ Your doctor can prescribe other treatments to help with your symptoms. These can include: пїЅ пїЅ

• A special mouth rinse or mouthwash " пїЅ These have medicines in them that can numb and coat the sores.
• Strong pain medicines
• Medicines to treat an infected mouth sore " пїЅ Sometimes, mouth sores get infected.

If you can't eat or drink because of your mouth sores, you might need to get fluids or nutrition that goes into your vein through a thin tube called an "IV. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

When will my mouth sores get better? " пїЅ In most cases, mouth sores get better within 2 weeks after the cancer treatment ends. пїЅ пїЅ

When should I call my doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Call your doctor or nurse if your pain is so severe that you are having trouble eating or drinking. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 87048 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Copyright

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ