Oral mucositis in patients with leukaemia following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cells transplantation

Historically, oral mucositis (OM) has been identified as a symptom developing in patients undergoing irradiation due to head and neck cancers, those undergoing therapy in preparation for a stem cell transplant, or receiving special therapeutic protocols due to acute myeloid leukaemia. It results from direct toxic injury to the mucosal epithelial cells by the immunosuppressive regimen. In this article we want to describe pathogenesis, diagnostic and actual possibility of treatment of OM. The literature reports several rating scale for OM that have been used for patients undergoing cancer therapy. The most useful of them are Oral Toxicity Scale and Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale. In the prevention and treatment of OM associated with standard chemotherapy various drugs and agents acting locally and systemically are used. Many of them are still remaining in the course of research.