title: Risk factors for ulcerative oral mucositis in cancer patients: unanswered questions.
abstract: A multitude of laboratory and clinical research studies of ulcerative oral mucositis induced by cytotoxic cancer therapies have been reported during the past decade. However, a comprehensive understanding of oral mucositis pathogenesis, together with a clear definition of risk factors for development and severity of the lesion, remain under investigation. The literature presents sometimes divergent data regarding these issues, which in turn restrict efforts to develop a unified approach for management of this morbid condition. The current review summarizes these controversies and highlights the need for strategies for stratification of patients enrolled in clinical trials, in relation to both pathophysiologic and associated risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-1605, USA. barassaff@cs.com
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barasch
authors.forename: Douglas E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents