Chemo Side Effects Mouth

Certain types of chemo sometimes cause delayed effects such as a second cancer that may show up many years later.

Chemo side effects mouth.

These sores usually develop within the first few days of starting the treatment. Mouth sores are a potential side effect of chemotherapy. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy affect digestion. Mucositis affects the mouth as painful mouth sores called stomatitis this chemo side effect is common with certain chemo medications and can be very painful.

Symptoms typically start around 7 to 10 days after the start of chemo. Not all mouth problems can be avoided but the fewer side effects you have the more likely you will stay on your cancer treatment schedule. Drugs used to treat cancer and certain bone problems may also cause oral problems. Oral complications are common in cancer patients especially those with head and neck cancer.

Targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy can also cause a sore mouth. Chemotherapy chemo can damage the cells lining the mouth throat and gastrointestinal tract this damage is called mucositis. Complications are new medical problems that occur during or after a disease procedure or treatment and that make recovery harder. Oral complications affect the mouth.

A sore mouth affects about 20 to 40 out of every 100 people 20 40 having chemotherapy. And about 80 out of every 100 people 80 having high dose chemotherapy. The sores generally clear up about 10 14 days after the. Radiation therapy to the head and neck may harm the salivary glands and tissues in your mouth and or make it hard to chew and swallow safely.

Sometimes the side effects can last a lifetime such as when chemo causes long term damage to the heart lungs kidneys or reproductive organs. Some types of chemotherapy and immunotherapy can also harm cells in your mouth throat and lips. Dry mouth and mouth sores that form on the tongue lips gums or in the throat can make it difficult to chew and swallow. Mouth sores mucositis stomatitis esophagitis chemotherapy side effects causes symptom management and when to contact your healthcare provider during cancer treatment.