Assessment and prevalence of concomitant chemo-radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

The prevalence of oral mucositis after radiotherapy in patients with Head and Neck Cancer and its associated factors: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Although the discussion about oral mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients has become a prominent issue, its incidence and influencing factors have not been thoroughly synthesized. This meta-analysis aims to integrate the prevalence and associated factors of radiation-induced oral mucositis among HNC patients.

METHODS

This study searched the following electronic databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Database, the Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, the Wanfang Database, and the VIP Database. The publication timeframe for the included studies ranged from January 2005 until January 2024. Two investigators used the NOS scale and AHRQ evaluation criteria for quality evaluation. All qualified studies and statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.2 and Stata 17.0.

RESULTS

Thirty eligible studies were included in the analysis. The results show that the prevalence of radiation-induced oral mucositis in HNC patients was 94% [95% CI (89%, 98%)]. Furthermore, the prevalence of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis in HNC patients is 37% [95%CI (29%, 45%)]. Chemotherapy, smoking history, diabetes, oral PH ≤ 7.0, and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for radioactive oral mucositis. In addition, BMI > 24.0 kg/m2, no use of antibiotics, and no use of oral mucosal protective agents are associated with radioactive oral mucositis.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis underscores a significantly high prevalence of radiation-induced oral mucositis in HNC patients. Establishing healthy lifestyle habits and maintaining a healthy oral environment are pivotal in preventing radiation-induced oral mucositis.

Comparative evaluation of oral mucositis in oral cancer patients undergoing 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy

Context

Oral cancer is a significant cause of death across the world. A combined multimodal approach integrating surgery and radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy (CT) is commonly employed in advanced oral cancer to prevent recurrences and locoregional spread. Oral mucositis is a common acute toxicity reported in patients undergoing RT and CT. The delivery of optimal cancer therapy protocols is compromised due to morbidity caused by oral mucositis.

Aims

To compare the severity of oral mucositis in oral cancer patients undergoing 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) with or without concomitant CT.

Settings and Design

This was a prospective, unicentric and longitudinal study conducted in a cancer centre.

Methods and Material

One hundred four patients with locally advanced oral cancer were enrolled in this study. Fifty-two patients were treated with IMRT and 52 patients with 3DCRT to a dose of >60 Gy, along with concurrent cisplatin weekly CT. Mucositis was recorded before the start, in the end, 1 month, and 3 months post-chemoradiotherapy treatment.

Statistical Analysis Used

Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (v. 21.0, Chicago. 2012). Descriptive and frequency statistics were performed for different parameters assessed in 3DCRT and IMRT group.

Results

Grade 3 mucositis was the most predominant grade observed in both groups at the end of treatment. Thirty-six patients (69.3%) versus 24 patients (46.1%) developed grade 3 mucositis in 3DCRT and IMRT group, respectively (P = 0.013). Healing was better with IMRT group when compared to 3DCRT group 1 month and 3 months post-RT. Mucositis was severe in patients undergoing concomitant CT.

Conclusions

IMRT reduced the incidence of severe mucositis and also improved the treatment-compliance compared to 3DCRT in locally advanced head neck cancer patients treated by chemoradiotherapy.