Cryotherapy for the Prevention of Oral Mucositis

Cryotherapy is defined as the use of extreme cold in surgery or other medical treatment. In cancer care, cryotherapy, through the use of ice chips, popsicles, or ice-cold water can have applications in preventing oral mucositis with mucotoxic agents with short half-lives.

According to the Oncology Nursing Society, "cryotherapy is based on the theory that vasoconstriction caused by cold temperatures decreases the exposure of the oral cavity mucous membranes to mucotoxic agents. Thirty minutes of oral cryotherapy is suggested for patients receiving bolus 5-fluorouracil. Cryotherapy also has been used in patients receiving high-dose melphalan."

"Cryotherapy is not recommended for patients who also are receiving oxaliplatin because of the associated acute temperature sensitivity, which can cause severe discomfort (Lilleby et al., 2006; Tartarone, Matera, Romano, Vigliotti, & DiRenzo, 2005)."

Learn more about Soothie frost as an option for cryotherapy with your patients HERE.