Patients who are diagnosed with cancer find themselves constantly under siege by their illness, and by the side effects that come along with their treatments. Both chemotherapy and radiation are known to cause a variety of unpleasant reactions in the body, from the instantly recognizable hair loss to the nausea, mouth sores, nerve pain, and other side effects that can have detrimental effects on a patient’s quality of life. One of the most debilitating of these effects is the appearance of oral mucositis, a condition characterized by mouth sores, bleeding, inflammation, and intense pain. But can you die from oral mucositis, and is there a device to protect you from developing this significant side effect? Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions.
What is Oral Mucositis?
The drugs chosen for chemotherapy treatments generally operate by targeting cells that rapidly divide, which makes them quite effective at seeking out and destroying fast-growing cancer tissues. Unfortunately, these chemicals also damage any healthy tissue that exhibits a similar rate of cell division, such as those in the mouth, hair, nails, and bone marrow – collateral damage in the war against cancer.
The consequence of these treatments for your mouth’s mucous membranes can be particularly unpleasant: these vulnerable tissues break down, leading to the formation of painful lesions along the cheeks, tongue, and soft palate of the mouth, as well as inflammation, bleeding, and a lack of saliva. This ailment, known as oral mucositis, affects as many as 40% of patients receiving standard chemotherapy, and up to 80% of those undergoing high-dose chemo treatments. (Source)
Can Oral Mucositis Be Fatal?
While the symptoms of oral mucositis can be debilitating for many patients, this condition is not typically fatal; the pain and bleeding can give the impression of a life-threatening ailment, but for most patients, the symptoms are an uncomfortable obstacle to overcome as they battle cancer. However, there is the potential for oral mucositis to lead to something much more serious.
One of the most concerning aspects of mucositis is that it leaves the mouth vulnerable to infections. Any open wound could provide an opening for a virus, fungus, or bacteria to take hold, and those in the mouth are no different. In fact, your mouth may be even more susceptible to infection than other areas of your body, in large part because foreign objects – food and beverages – are constantly being introduced to the environment.
Saliva also plays an important role in the prevention or oral infections; because the salivary glands and mucous membranes are affected by the chemo drugs, patients often experience a lack of saliva (called xerostomia or dry mouth) which can further reduce their defense against infection.
The final factor to consider is the status of the immune system. Patients who undergo chemo or radiation treatments often experience damage to their bone marrow, the part of the body that products red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Without the right amount of these cells – white blood cells in particular – your body may not have adequate defenses to ward off an infection.
A 2008 study looked at the chances of various complications related to oral mucositis and found that a one-point increase in severity (mucositis is typically judged on a scale of 0-3) is associated with more than two additional days of IV nutrition, narcotic painkillers, and overall hospitalization; one extra day of fever; more than double the risk of serious infection; and an almost four-fold increase in a patient’s 100-day mortality risk. The sum of these complications can cost upwards of $25,000 – and that’s in addition to the already significant costs related to cancer treatments and general care.
Preventing Oral Mucositis Through Cryotherapy
Although oral mucositis caused by chemotherapy may not be deadly in and of itself, the condition can still put patients at a greater risk of serious complications that could ultimately prove fatal. For this reason, and for the financial impact of mucositis, patients should try to avoid the worst of the symptoms of oral mucositis.
Today, the best method for limiting the severity of mouth sores after chemo is through cryotherapy, the application of cold temperatures to the body’s tissues. By lowering the temperature of the oral cavity, the blood vessels in the area are forced to shrink, thereby reducing the flow of chemo drugs to the area during treatment and preventing the worst of the damage the drugs would otherwise inflict.
Nurses and doctors often use ice chips or popsicles to apply these cold temperatures to the inside of the mouth, but neither option is very effective at cooling all areas of the mouth. The Chemo Mouthpiece® is an FDA 410(k) cleared device oral cryotherapy device that can lower the temperature of the entire oral cavity, making it a potent weapon against oral mucositis.
Oral Cryotherapy Device for Protection from Chemotherapy Induced Oral Mucositis (CIOM)
If you’ve tried using ice chips to protect yourself from oral mucositis and found the results to be less than effective, consider the Chemo Mouthpiece instead. This simple, clinically studied and easy-to-use device can accompany you to your next treatment and provide extensive cooling power during chemotherapy. To learn more about how the Chemo Mouthpiece can help you or a loved one, visit us online or call (866) 496-8858 today.