Risk factors of oral mucositis and oral candidiasis in patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer undergoing radiotherapy: Results of a multicenter study of 326 patients

Abstract

A retrospective investigation of oral mucositis and oral candidiasis was conducted in 326 patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy. The following results were obtained:
1．Grade 3 oral mucositis occurred in 131 patients （41.7％）.
2．Male, oropharyngeal cancer, concurrent radiotherapy with cisplatin or cetuximab, lower level of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and hemoglobin, and oral feeding were independent risk factors for developing grade 3 oral mucositis.
3．Oral candidiasis occurred in 101 patients （31.0％）.
4．Oropharyngeal cancer, lower level of leukocytes, and oral mucositis of grade 2 or more were independent risk factors for developing oral candidiasis. Topical administration of corticosteroid ointment did not become a risk factor for oral candidiasis.