Oral Mucositis and Salivary Nitric Oxide Levels in Patients on Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Tumors

Introduction: Mucositis has been a complication of great importance in antineoplastic treatments head and neck tumors because when not treated properly it can lead to the interruption radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Knowing that mucositis is common inflammatory condition patients undergoing nitric oxide (NO) be marker inflammation.
 Aim: seek an association between mucositis, pain NO levels diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) different periods radiotherapy.
 Methodology: Clinical examination was performed weekly investigate presence which degree intensity were evaluated by using visual analogue scale (VAS) mouthwash samples collected from twenty patients. In samples, concentrations measured Griess method.
 Results: patients, two excluded due worsening clinical picture. Of 18 who had their treatment finished, ten some pain, highest being observed last week treatment. As for NO, low values varied widely among weeks studied. There statistically significant positive correlation degrees intensities, although correlated neither nor throughout experimental weeks.
 Conclusion: Although mediator involved diseases oral cavity, its cannot associated cancer are on radiotherapy.