Which treatment is recommended for patients experiencing mucositis related to chemotherapy?

The recommended treatment for patients experiencing mucositis related to chemotherapy is sodium bicarbonate oral rinse. This treatment serves to soothe the inflammation and irritation of the mucosal lining of the mouth, which is commonly affected during chemotherapy. The alkaline nature of sodium bicarbonate can help neutralize acids in the oral cavity, potentially providing relief from discomfort and creating a more favorable environment for healing.

Mucositis is a painful condition that can significantly impact a patient’s ability to eat, speak, and maintain oral hygiene, making effective symptom management essential. Sodium bicarbonate oral rinse is a common practice to help mitigate some of these symptoms, making it the most appropriate choice among the options provided.

Other treatments, while they may address aspects of mucositis or pain management, are not typically standard recommendations for mucositis specifically. For example, palifermin is used more for the prevention and treatment of severe oral mucositis in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy rather than for managing symptoms once they are established. Increased dietary fiber is more relevant to bowel health and is not tailored to mucositis, while high-dose vitamin C supplements do not have a well-established role in managing mucositis symptoms.