Oral mucositis represents an important clinical issue due to:

pain requiring analgesics or narcotics; need for parenteral nutrition; risk of infection and sepsis; delayed patient discharge; increased costs.

Given its significant negative impact on patients' therapy, functionality, and QoL, and its high associated costs, the need to prevent and treat oral mucositis is of fundamental importance.

Reference:
Sonis et al. J Clin Oncol 2001; 19(8):2201-5
Elting et al. Cancer 2008; 113:2704-13
Peterson et al. Ann Oncol 2009; 20(suppl. 4): 174-7
American Cancer Society