What you need to know about mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy

The article was written by doctors of Internal Oncology - Radiation Oncology Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

People taking chemotherapy drugs can develop mouth ulcers as a side effect of the drugs. The sores usually clear up on their own when treatment ends. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells as they divide, stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying. However, this treatment also kills healthy cells that are in the process of cell division. The cells of the oropharynx are among these.

In a healthy state, pharyngeal cells have the ability to fight harmful bacteria and heal themselves. When they are damaged (due to chemotherapy drugs), the lining of the oropharynx becomes ulcerated, inflamed...
Canker sores are small cuts or ulcers inside the mouth. They can appear several days after starting chemotherapy and are severe around the seventh day of treatment. Sores can appear on any soft tissue in or around the mouth, including:
Lips Tongue Gums Floor of Mouth Palate Symptoms to look out for include:
Red, shiny, or swollen areas in the mouth Bleeding in the mouth Increased mucus in the mouth A white or yellow film on the mouth or tongue Sores with white central patches Pus in the mouth Mouth or throat pain Dry, burning sensation or pain when eating hot or cold foods

Depending on the location and severity of the sores, a person may struggle with the following:
Spoken Eat Swallow Very painful mouth sores symptoms that can lead to further complications , such as:
Dehydration Poor appetite Weight loss Oral infection

Canker sores can appear several days after starting chemotherapy and tend to end around 10-14 days after treatment.
There are different ways to shorten the duration of cold sores, reduce symptoms and prevent further complications.

The following home and live remedies can help manage mouth sores at home:
Keep your mouth moist
Keeping your mouth moist can help relieve mouth pain and irritation Keep your mouth moist by drinking eight glasses water every day. Drinking through a straw can help prevent water from coming into contact with painful sores in your mouth Other tips to keep your mouth moist include: Sucking on ice cubes Chewing sugar-free gum Eating sugar-free sweets Focusing on your diet

Spicy, salty and acidic foods can further irritate mouth ulcers. Avoid foods that are dry, hard, crunchy or sticky, which are uncomfortable or painful to eat. Examples of foods and beverages to avoid include: Peppers Pepper Salt Citrus Fruit Tomatoes Crunchy bread Cookies Chips Cookies Pickled foods Peanut butter Carbonated drinks Caffeinated beverages Alcohol Recommended soft, moist foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Some healthy options include: Stewed vegetables Mashed potatoes Scrambled eggs Baked beans Cooked cereals Yogurt Cheese It is important to make sure these foods have cooled down before eating. Hot or warm foods can further irritate a sore mouth. The following may also help relieve mouth pain during mealtime:
Bite food and chew it thoroughly Drink water to ease swallowing discomfort Take pain relievers about 30 minutes before meals Apply numbing gels, for example like benzocaine (Anbesol or Orajel) on mouth sores before meals to prevent pain when eating Keep mouth clean

Keeping the mouth clean is very important to prevent infection. However, cleaning an ulcerated mouth can be difficult and painful. The American Cancer Society advises the following to manage mouth sores: Brush teeth
When you have mouth ulcers, floss daily, except in areas that are painful or bleed easily. It is recommended to brush your teeth about 30 minutes after eating and every 4 hours a day. The following tips can help prevent mouth irritation when brushing: Use a toothbrush with extra soft nylon bristles. Soak the brush in warm water before brushing to soften it even more. If a regular toothbrush causes pain, use a soft, porous oral swab to clean your teeth, which can be purchased at many drugstores. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste that contains fluoride. Avoid using whitening toothpastes that contain hydrogen peroxide, which can cause irritation. After brushing, wash the toothbrush in hot water and store it in a cool, dry place. Mouthwash
Avoid using store-bought mouthwashes, which often contain alcohol and other irritants. Instead, you should rinse your mouth with one of the following mixtures: 1 teaspoon of baking soda 2 cups of water Or
1 teaspoon of sea salt 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 quart of water Mix well to make sure Make sure the ingredients dissolve properly. Then rinse your mouth gently before spitting it out. Denture Care
Wearing ill-fitting dentures increases the risk of mouth ulcers during chemotherapy. Therefore, the use of dentures should be avoided during treatment.
Even well-fitting dentures can cause problems if sores develop underneath the mouth. If this occurs, dentures should be removed between meals and at night to give the sores a chance to heal.
People with dentures who are suffering from mouth ulcers should remove and clean dentures between meals and store them with antibacterial medicine when not in use.
Care for sore lips
Some people may experience sores on their lips. Applying the following products to lips can help treat dryness or soreness:
Cocoa Butter Jelly Light Lip Balm

Currently, there is no medicine to prevent the development of mouth ulcers during chemotherapy. However, people who regularly check their mouths are likely to detect ulcers at an earlier stage. Early detection and treatment of ulcers can reduce their duration and severity.
It is recommended to check the mouth twice a day with a small flashlight. Gently pressing a wooden stick (tongue stick) into the center of the tongue will help to better see the back of the mouth. Remove the denture before examining the ulcer.
It is advisable to notify the medical staff where you are being treated if you notice changes in your mouth or a difference in the taste of food.

If a person is unable to eat due to mouth sores, they should talk to their doctor. People should see a doctor if mouth sores prevent them from doing any of the following:
Eat, Drink, Sleep, Take Medicine Your doctor will prescribe medication to relieve mouth pain and other symptoms.
See a doctor if you experience any of the following signs of infection:
Fever higher than 37 degrees C Sores in or around the mouth that get worse despite proper management Severe pain or signs other infections Chemotherapy drugs weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections.
Early detection and treatment of infections reduces the risk of further complications.
Mouth ulcers are a side effect of chemotherapy. These sores usually develop within the first few days of starting treatment.
The sores usually clear up about 10-14 days after chemotherapy ends. During that time, a person can try a variety of ways to manage sores at home.
Successful home management can relieve symptoms, reduce ulcer duration, and prevent infection.
See a doctor if mouth sores become very painful or if there are signs of infection. Treating the infection early reduces the risk of more serious complications.
Articles refer to the source: medical news today 2019
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