Antimicrobial Treatment of Oropharyngeal Mucositis During Radio(Chemo)Therapy Treatment of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Sa？etak Oropharyngeal mucositis is a common side effect ocurring after a radio(chemo)therapy treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. It is manifested by erythema, ulceration, severe pain, and up to 85% of patients requiring liquid diet or disabled food/fluid intake. Mucositis is a limiting factor during treatment and symptomatic - supportive measures are necessary for maintaining life quality. Exacerbation can be caused by local infection or trauma. The role of antimicrobial therapy in prevention and treatment is debated and the results of clinical trials are mostly negative or mixed. This paper presents the frequency of oropharyngeal mucositis and the use of antimicrobial therapy in its prevention and treatment in 99 patients treated at Clinic of Oncology, University Clinical Hospital (UCH) Mostar. The incidence of mucositis has been shown to be consistent with the data disclosed, and the use of antimicrobial drugs is mostly limited to the local application of antimycotics in therapeutic purposes