Chemotherapy-associated oral mucosal lesions in patients with leukaemia or lymphoma

In order to determine the incidence rate of oral lesions associated with chemotherapy, as well as its association with clinical and laboratory parameters and potential risk factors, 50 in-patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or leukaemia under chemotherapy were followed from January 1993 to May 1994. Basal and weekly oral examinations were performed. Clinical and laboratory data were registered. Wilcoxon's rank sum test, chi square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. 36 individuals with leukaemia and 14 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were followed for 158 weeks; mean age was 33 years (range 15–85). Oral lesion incidence rate was 45/100 patients-week. Exfoliative cheilitis and infections (herpes and candidosis) were the most common oral complications, followed by haemorrhagic lesions and mucositis. Haemorrhagic lesions correlated with thrombocytopenia (RR = 30.5). Etoposide administration (RR = 8.6), alkylating agents (RR= 15.6), a prior course of chemotherapy (RR = 23.2) and neutropenia (RR = 4.16) were predictors of mucositis. Oral lesions were a common complication in this study, and a possible association of mucositis with several factors is suggested.