Radiation therapy kills oral cancer cells by exposing the patient to radioactive materials or external radiation beams. After surgery, radiation therapy is most frequently used to destroy any cancer cells that might still be present in the oral cavity. In this article, we are going to discuss the role of radiation therapy in mucositis development.
What is Radiation Therapy?
One kind of cancer treatment is radiation therapy, sometimes known as radiotherapy. Intense laser beams are used in this treatment to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy is the most frequent application of X-rays. However, there are other forms of radiation therapy as well, such as proton radiation, chemoradiation, and brachytherapy.
Both internal and external radiation therapy are possible for the body. External beam radiation therapy is the most popular type of radiation treatment. One huge instrument used in this treatment is a linear accelerator. The device points high-energy beams at a specific spot on your body.
What is Oral Mucositis?
The mucosa is the protective mucous membrane that lines the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract, extending from the mouth to the intestines. A painful infection of this membrane is called mucositis. Although mucous membranes border many of the cavities and canals in your body, mucositis mostly affects the mucosa in your digestive system, especially the oral mucosa. It is a typical adverse reaction to a number of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplants including stem cells.
Role of Radiation Therapy in Mucositis Development
Radiation therapy, often used to treat head and neck cancers, can, unfortunately, lead to radiation mucositis, a painful inflammation, and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the mouth. This condition significantly impacts a patient’s quality of life and can complicate cancer treatment. Effective mucositis oral treatment is essential to manage pain and facilitate healing. Common mucositis treatments include oral rinses, pain relievers, and protective coatings for the mucous membranes. Additionally, maintaining good oral hygiene and staying hydrated are crucial steps in managing this condition. Advanced treatments like low-level laser therapy and the use of growth factors are also showing effectiveness in the treatment. Understanding the role of radiation therapy in mucositis development is vital for developing better preventive and therapeutic strategies, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and comfort during cancer treatment.
Treatment for mucositis
If you have oral mucositis, your doctor may prescribe one of the following treatments oral pain relievers, which come in pills, spray, or gel, mouthwashes that protect, numb, and cleanse your mouth or sprays or gels that replace saliva in your mouth to keep it moist. The recommended course of action for treating gastrointestinal mucositis will change based on how severe your symptoms are.
About Oraal Spray
Oraal spray is a type of pharmaceutical spray used to treat oral mucositis caused by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Oraal spray tackles pro-inflammatory proteins, toxins, and contaminants in three different ways to attain the best results. The ORAAL SPRAY is a multi-layered treatment for oral mucositis. After just two days of treatment, the Oraal spray reduces pain and mucositis. Along with its benefits for mucositis and discomfort, it has also been shown to prevent burns and infections related to oral mucositis.
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How cancer patients are treated with radiation therapy
Radiation therapy may be administered for different reasons or at different times, depending on the details of your cancer treatment plan. Radiation therapy may be advised by medical staff: Given that it is the first and only method of curing cancer, The goals of neoadjuvant therapy are to lessen cancer before surgery, while adjuvant therapy aims to stop any cancer cells that remain after surgery from growing. in addition to further treatments like chemotherapy to eradicate cancer cells and lessen the indications that the disease has progressed.
Common Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
The following are the most common side effects of radiation therapy on the oral cavity:
- Changes in the skin that will look like a sunburn
- Voicelessness
- Taste changes
- Dry mouth
- Weakened teeth
- Pain
- Sores
- Redness in the mouth
- Tightness of the facial muscles and the surrounding areas of the jawbones, resulting in difficulty eating, chewing, and speaking
Conclusion
Although radiation therapy is helpful in the treatment of cancer, it has side effects too. Oral mucositis is one of those adverse effects that arise after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Therefore, it is important to stop oral mucositis from developing. Mucositis can be treated with a variety of products, including tablets, mouthwashes, gels, and sprays.
