Mucositis as a Complication of Radiation Therapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review:

Objectives:1) Review the current literature on mucositis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiation therapy. 2) Describe the rate of mucositis, grade, mucositis sequelae, dose-limiting mucositis toxicity, and overall survival during radiation therapy for NPC.Methods:A systematic review of studies published regarding the treatment of NPC from 1990 to 2012 was conducted. A PubMed search for articles using the search terms “mucositis,” “radiation therapy,” and “nasopharyngeal carcinoma,” along with a review of the articles’ bibliographies was performed. Criteria for inclusion were clinical trials that reported radiation therapy as a treatment modality, and mucositis as a complication. Demographics, treatment type, treatment order, mucositis grade, percentage of mucositis sufferers, mucositis sequelae, dose-limiting mucositis toxicity, and overall survival rates were recorded.Results:A total of 50 journal articles were included representing 4621 patients. Radiation therapy only was...