A number of chemotherapy regimens for cancer and radiation therapy for head and neck cancers are associated with high risk of mucositis. Despite its potentially debilitating effects, mucositis is an underreported toxicity. Oncology nurses are positioned to assess patient risk for mucositis because they examine patients on a regular basis, focus on symptom management, and educate patients about their therapy. Two assessment tools are now available to help you evaluate and manage this side effect. If patients are evaluated prior to therapy and regularly during therapy, they can be educated about prophylaxis and management, hopefully minimizing mucositis’ effects and optimizing therapeutic outcomes.

Baseline Assessment: This assessment is intended to be used prior to treatment to evaluate the likelihood that a patient may develop mucositis during therapy.

Periodic Assessment: This tool is intended to assess a patient’s changing symptoms during therapy.

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