Download Controlling your mouth sores

Controlling Mouth Sores from Melphalan
One of the side effects of high doses of medicines used in stem cell transplant can be
painful mouth sores. A cancer treatment drug called melphalan may damage the lining of
your mouth. This can cause pain when you eat or drink.
Your doctors and nurses will try to keep you as comfortable as possible during your
treatment but we do not know how severe your mouth sores can be.
What is cryotherapy?
Oral Cryotherapy is cooling the mouth with ice. This cooling effect results in less blood
flow to the lining of the mouth. A smaller amount of blood flow means the tissues in the
mouth are exposed to less melphelan. The lining of the mouth may be protected from
some of the harmful effects of melphalan.
Research studies have shown that sucking on ice chips (cryotherapy) before, during, and
after melphalan is given may reduce the chances of having mouth sores. If you do
develop mouth sores, they may not be as severe. Studies have also shown that
cryotherapy may reduce the amount of pain medication needed and the number of days in
the hospital.
How is cryotherapy done?
You will be given ice chips to keep in your mouth starting 10 minutes before your
treatment. Continue to hold ice chips until they melt, then swallow and repeat. Replace
the ice in your mouth during your treatment and for 1 hour after treatment is finished.
We suggest ice chips over popsicles or other ways of cooling to reach as many parts of
the mouth as possible.
What are possible side effects of cryotherapy?
Some patients have had mild short-term side effects such as chills or nausea. If your
teeth are sensitive to cold, you may not want to use cryotherapy. We do not know the
shortest amount of time needed for it to work. One hour is based on how the drug goes
through your body. We do not believe that cryotherapy reduces the effectiveness of
melphalan on your cancer.
Cryotherapy is an optional procedure that may reduce mouth sores caused by melphelan.
Please talk to your nurse if you want to use cryotherapy.
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