Oral Mucositis From Cancer Treatment
Oral mucositis, sometimes called stomatitis or simply “chemo mouth sores,” is one of the most common and most debilitating side effects of chemotherapy. Oral mucositis occurs when chemotherapy drugs inadvertently attack and damage the mucous membranes lining the inside areas of the mouth, causing painful ulceration, swelling, and inflammation. This condition, which often worsens with ongoing chemotherapy, can cause clinically significant complications.
Besides being extremely painful, oral mucositis can lead to problems including dose-limiting or interruption of chemotherapy treatment; difficulty or inability to intake nutrition by mouth; pathways for infections; increased ER visits; reduced quality of life; and higher overall healthcare costs.
Cryotherapy Simplified
When placed in a freezer, the specially designed Chemo Mouthpiece devices have an inner core frozen solid and an outer chamber of cold liquid. When used in the mouth during and after chemotherapy, the device delivers cryotherapy (cold temperature) throughout the oral cavity. When chemo drugs are circulating in the body during and after infusion, the cold temperature reduces blood flow in the mouth and the drugs are physically limited from contacting and damaging sensitive tissue in the mouth.
Redefining Protection for Patients
Clinical studies show that the Chemo Mouthpiece® significantly reduces the incidence and severity of oral mucositis, offering a scientifically proven method of protection during chemotherapy. A clinical study also demonstrated significant reductions in patient oral pain and in opioid/analgesic use.
Utilized during and after chemo infusions, this innovative oral cryotherapy device cools the entire oral cavity evenly, physically limiting chemotherapy drug exposure to healthy tissues in the whole mouth.
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The Chemo Mouthpiece® is redefining comfort during chemotherapy. Designed to reduce the severity and incidence of oral mucositis.
Uniformly cools the entire oral cavity, providing unmatched reduction in the incidence and severity of oral mucositis.
The Chemo Mouthpiece® was studied in a multi-institutional, randomized, controlled trial.
Single-patient, multi-use, safe, and simple to use throughout your treatment journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Chemo Mouthpiece® (“CMP”) is an oral cryotherapy device, intended to be used to cool the oral mucosa (the inside surfaces of the mouth) to reduce the occurrence and severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in adult patients. When placed in a standard freezer for at least six hours, the specially designed devices will have a frozen inner core and an outer chamber which will be a cold liquid. When placed in the mouth, the system works to deliver cryotherapy (cold temperature) throughout the oral cavity. The devices are for single-patient use and are reusable throughout your course of treatment.
The Chemo Mouthpiece® is available by prescription (Rx) only through your healthcare provider. Prescriptions are fulfilled in the U.S. by Zeal Specialty Pharmacy. The devices are supplied as a Patient Kit that includes six (6) pre-filled and reusable CMP devices, cooling packs, cleaning brushes, insulated sleeves, a carrying cooler and instructions for use.
Oral mucositis (OM) is a painful and debilitating side effect of many chemotherapy drugs. OM is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of mucous membranes in the mouth, which occurs when chemotherapy drugs attack and cause damage to those cells. These painful sores and ulcers can occur throughout the mouth including the hard and soft palate, tongue, gums, cheeks and lips.
Oral cryotherapy (temporarily cooling the inside of the mouth) restricts the flow of blood in that area. When chemotherapy drugs are circulating in the body, the restricted blood flow in the oral cavity means the chemotherapy drugs are physically limited from contact in that area. The reduced presence of chemotherapy drugs means a reduction in the damage they can cause to the sensitive lining of the mouth (the oral mucosal layer).
Chemo mouth sores (oral mucositis) are a common and painful side effect of chemotherapy. They may start with redness, tenderness, or sensitivity in the mouth before progressing to painful sores.
Chemo mouth sores can interfere with comfort, nutrition, and daily life. In some cases, chemo mouth sores can increase the risk of infection, delay treatment, or result in ER visits and hospitalization. If you’re concerned about chemo mouth sores, talk with your healthcare provider before treatment begins to better understand your risk and the proactive options available.
According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, “Chemotherapy and radiation — alone or combined — can cause mouth sores. That’s because these cancer treatments are intended to kill rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells. Some healthy cells in your body also divide and grow rapidly, including the cells that line the inside of your mouth. Unfortunately, these healthy cells are also damaged by chemotherapy and radiation. Damage to the cells in your mouth makes it difficult for your mouth to heal itself and to fend off germs, leading to sores and infections. Both chemotherapy and radiation can impair your body’s germ-fighting system (immune system). With an impaired immune system, viruses, bacteria and fungi can more easily infect your mouth, causing mouth sores or making mouth sores worse.”
Oral mucositis is a common side effect of many different chemotherapy treatments, and a significant proportion of chemotherapy patients will experience some grade of OM. Many factors may affect the development and severity of oral mucositis, including but not limited to the specific chemotherapy regimen (type, dosages, frequency, cycle), patient age, oral health, and lifestyle factors.
The best way to protect yourself from the occurrence and severity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis is to be proactive in your approach and use the Chemo Mouthpiece from the very first chemotherapy infusion. The best efficacy has been shown when patients begin to use the Chemo Mouthpiece to cool the oral cavity starting 10 minutes prior to every chemotherapy infusion, use it throughout every infusion, and continue with additional oral cryotherapy sessions at home. See the full Instructions For Use for additional information, and be sure to discuss your specific therapy with your doctor.