Epidemiology of Oral Mucositis
Three populations are particularly
affected:3,5,10
- Patients receiving polychemotherapy,
- Patients suffering from cancer of the head and neck treated
with radiation,
- Those receiving myeloablative conditioning prior to a
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT).
A number of studies have reported on the incidence of oral
mucositis in various populations of patients:
- Practically all patients (97%) treated with radiation in the
area of the head and neck.3
- 87% of patients receiving an autologous HSCT.10
- More than 70% of patients receiving myeloablative conditioning
for an HSCT.5
- Around 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy.5
The incidence of severe mucositis (WHO Grade 3 or 4) often
exceeds 50% of patients treated with radiation therapy for a cancer
of the head and neck and 60% of patients whose conditioning
treatment before an HSCT includes whole body irradiation. In
patients receiving chemotherapy, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 oral
mucositis varies depending on the therapeutic
protocol.6