Oral mucositis - problem nadal aktualny w medycynie i stomatologii

Oral mucositis (OM) caused by ionizing radiation is a significant therapeutic problem concerning almost all patients with head and neck cancers undergoing irradiation, however, an effective treatment method is still missing. Therapeutic ac­tions concentrate mostly on prophylaxis, including the maintenance of the correct hygiene of the oral cavity. In 2014 the International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO) together with the (Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) worked out the guidelines for the treatment of patients with z OM induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In 2019 these guidelines were updated. Research is ongoing to find medication which could be applicable for the prevention and treatment of OM. The problem is grave as it might complicate the progress of oncological treatment, deteriorate the patient’s quality of life or even affect the prognosis. This paper describes the pathogenesis of oral mucositis, the current trends in treatment and discusses the role of a dentistry doctors in the care of the patient with symptoms of this condition. The article also refers to the role of a multidisciplinary team – the OM prophylaxis – as part of the preparation of an oncological patient for irradiation.