Epidemiology of Oral Mucositis
Three populations are particularly affected3,5,10
- Patients receiving chemotherapy regimes which include certain mucotoxic agents
- Patients suffering from cancer of the head and neck treated with radiotherapy
- 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 radiotherapy in the area of the head and neck.3
- More than 70% of patients receiving myeloablative conditioning for an HSCT.5
- 87% of patients receiving an autologous HSCT.1010
- Around 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy.5
Mucositis Present
No Mucositis
97% of patients treated with RADIOTHERAPY for cancer of the head and neck
3>70% of patients receiving myeloablative conditioning BEFORE AN HSCT
540% of patients receiving CHEMOTHERAPY
587% of patients receiving an AUTOLOGOUS HSCT
10
The incidence of severe mucositis (WHO grade 3 or 4) often exceeds 50% of patients treated with radiotherapy 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