Oral mucositis can occur in cancer patients who are receiving
chemotherapy and/or radiation for head and neck cancer
Whether or not an individual patient develops oral mucositis
depends on a number of factors such as:
- The type of anticancer treatment received6
- Having received anticancer treatment
previously25
- Having radiation therapy for head and neck
cancer25
- Age (children and the elderly develop oral mucositis more
often)25
- Ethnicity (Caucasians are at a higher risk than
African-Americans)25
- Receiving a higher intensity anticancer
treatment25
- Having previously suffered with a history of oral
mucositis6
- Poor oral health and oral hygiene14
- Smoking14
- Drinking alcohol14