Evaluation the efficiency of cryotheraphy for preventing oral mucositis associated with chemotheraphy

The last decade has brought about significant achievements and advances in the treatment of cancer that have occurred as a result of basic scientific research, improved cytotoxic agents, multimodality therapies, and advances in supportive care. Unfortunality, substanial risks often accompany the benefits of chemotheraphy. Oral mucositis is one of the most common and important side effects of chemotheraphy agents.mucositis prevents oral feeding of the patients and deteriorates their perfonmance. Also pain with mucositis require narcotic analgesia and supplemental nutrition.Cryotheraphy is a popular, cheap and readily applicable method for preventing of oral mucositis, developing due the rapid infusion of chemotheraphy agents. However it is not part of clinical practice.The study was investigated for evaluation the efficiency of cryotherapy for preventing oral mukozitis associated with chemotherapy in Gaziantep University Oncology Hospital between 9 th February- 1 st July in 2009. Study involved 60 patients, 30 of whom were in the study group and 30 in the control group. According to WHO Oral Mucositis Assessment Scales the percentage of mucositis is Grade 0 %83,3, Grade 1 %13,3, Grade 2 %3,3 in study group and Grade 0 %40, Grade 1 %40, Grade 2 %16,6, Grade 3 %3,3 in control group on day 7, the percentage of mucositis is Grade 0 %60, Grade 1 %23,3, Grade 2 %13,3, Grade 3 %3,3 in study group and Grade 0 %23,3, Grade 1 %26,6, Grade 2 %36,6, Grade 3 %10 and Grade 4 %3,3 in control group on day 14, the difference between two groups being statistically significant. (p< 0,05).Between the study and control groups there was significantly different according to evaluation days. On 14 th day the mucositis rate shows significant increase than 7 th day.With the results gained from this research, it has been suggested that the cryotheraphy should take place a part of clinical practice for preventing mucositis associated with chemotherapy by using a side-effect- free easy the perform and inexpensive method.Key words: Chemotherapy, oral mucositis, cryotheraphy.