Evaluation of an Oral Care Programme for Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Evaluation of an Oral Care Programme for Patients Undergoing Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Regarding Mucositis, Oral Health, Epigenetic Modifications, Patient-related Factors, Quality of Life and Health Economy

Ryhov County Hospital, Region Jönköping County, Swedish Cancer Foundation, Kalmar County Hospital, Norrlands University Hospital

This study will evaluate the effect of an intensified oral care programme on prevalence, severity and duration of mucositis in patients undergoing treatment for cancer in the head and neck region. Patients in the control group get professional oral care once a week.

This study will evaluate the effect of an oral care programme on prevalence, severity and duration of mucositis in patients undergoing treatment for cancer in the head and neck region. The oral care programme consists of professional oral care and swabbing of the mucosal membranes with a saline/bicarbonate solution once a week. The patients are instructed to rinse with a saline/bicarbonate solution 5 times per day. They are given an oral care diary to help them keep track of their daily oral hygiene measures and rinses. Repeated oral hygiene instructions are given if needed. Patients in the control group get professional oral care once a week.

The intervention consists of professional oral care and swabbing of the mucosal membranes with a saline and bicarbonate solution, five daily rinses with a saline and bicarbonate solution, a diary to register oral care measures and rinses

Reduced incidence of clinical mucositis assessed using Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (9 areas in the mouth are examined and signs of ulceration are scored; 0=no lesion,1= lesion <1cm2, 2=lesion 1-3 cm2, 3=lesion > 3 cm2 as well as erythema, which is scored as follows: 0=no erythema, 1= mild erythema and 2=severe erythema. Total score for ulceration can vary from 0-27 and for erythema from 0-18. Mucositis is present at scores ≥ 1.)

Reduced incidence of clinical mucositis assessed using Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (9 areas in the mouth are examined and signs of ulceration are scored; 0=no lesion,1= lesion <1cm2, 2=lesion 1-3 cm2, 3=lesion > 3 cm2 as well as erythema, which is scored as follows: 0=no erythema, 1= mild erythema and 2=severe erythema. Total score for ulceration can vary from 0-27 and for erythema from 0-18. Mucositis is present at scores ≥ 1.)

Reduced incidence of clinical mucositis assessed using Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (9 areas in the mouth are examined and signs of ulceration are scored; 0=no lesion,1= lesion <1cm2, 2=lesion 1-3 cm2, 3=lesion > 3 cm2 as well as erythema, which is scored as follows: 0=no erythema, 1= mild erythema and 2=severe erythema. Total score for ulceration can vary from 0-27 and for erythema from 0-18. Mucositis is present at scores ≥ 1.)

Reduced incidence of clinical mucositis assessed using Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (9 areas in the mouth are examined and signs of ulceration are scored; 0=no lesion,1= lesion <1cm2, 2=lesion 1-3 cm2, 3=lesion > 3 cm2 as well as erythema, which is scored as follows: 0=no erythema, 1= mild erythema and 2=severe erythema. Total score for ulceration can vary from 0-27 and for erythema from 0-18. Mucositis is present at scores ≥ 1.)

Reduced incidence of clinical mucositis assessed using Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (9 areas in the mouth are examined and signs of ulceration are scored; 0=no lesion,1= lesion <1cm2, 2=lesion 1-3 cm2, 3=lesion > 3 cm2 as well as erythema, which is scored as follows: 0=no erythema, 1= mild erythema and 2=severe erythema. Total score for ulceration can vary from 0-27 and for erythema from 0-18. Mucositis is present at scores ≥ 1.)

Reduced incidence of clinical mucositis assessed using Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (9 areas in the mouth are examined and signs of ulceration are scored; 0=no lesion,1= lesion <1cm2, 2=lesion 1-3 cm2, 3=lesion > 3 cm2 as well as erythema, which is scored as follows: 0=no erythema, 1= mild erythema and 2=severe erythema. Total score for ulceration can vary from 0-27 and for erythema from 0-18. Mucositis is present at scores ≥ 1.)

Inclusion Criteria: Patients with ≥ 16 own teeth and no removable dentures, Patients scheduled to receive full dose of RT including the major salivary glands in the radiation field Exclusion Criteria: Patients who get surgery to remove their tumor Patients with recurrent cancer Patients with severe cognitive impairment.