Mucositis in the oncology patient.

Mucositis is a common side effect related to the treatment of cancer. Many agents have been tested for the prevention and management of mucositis, but the data regarding a number of the agents are conflicting. This article describes the incidence of mucositis in individuals with cancer and the various agents used in its prevention and management. Nurses play an important role in the management of patients with mucositis and in identifying agents that may decrease the patient's risk for mucositis and aid healing.