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Mucositis Mucositis is a result of the effect of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy on the cells that make up the mucous membranes. Normally the cells in your mouth have a very rapid cell turnover rate. This means they normally die and are replaced very frequently. Have you ever noticed that if you accidentally bite your cheek it usually heals very quickly? This is because these cells replace themselves very frequently. Cancer therapy affects these normal cells and interferes with normal replacement of cells. Over time we have come to realize that the processes involved with mucositis are very complicated. Professionals who specialize in mucositis have identified that mucositis involves different phases. There is the initial injury to the cells caused by the cancer treatment. The damage to the cells causes them to send messages to other cells to produce special compounds that cause further damage. This is why the mucositis continues to get worse. As more cells die off the open sores develop. Then gradually normal cells in the mouth start to grow again and the sores heal. 11 This model helps us to understand how complex mucositis is. In addition, it can help to guide discussion regarding what to do for mucositis. Even though the mouth seems to be healed, it is still sensitive to damage from cancer treatments in the future. |
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