Oral Mucositis is one of the most severe forms of oral ulceration resulting in unpleasant, painful inflammation of the oral cavity. This in turn may prevent swallowing of food and fluids. The condition has been described as having a direct impact on duration of disease, remission, cure rates and long-term survival of cancer patients.
Approximately 40% of all standard-dose chemotherapy patients, and up to 75% of high-dose chemotherapy patients experience oral mucositis. Mucositis is also a side-effect suffered by almost 100% of patients receiving significant radiotherapy for head or neck cancer.
Patients experience mucositis days to weeks after the start of therapy and unfortunately it usually persists until after the cancer treatment is completed.
Gelclair forms a protective film over the sore areas within the mouth, providing pain relief and enabling patients to eat and drink more easily and potentially restoring a better quality of life.
Gelclair can be used three times a day as needed, until the soreness has receded. It is mixed with water and rinsed round the mouth until it has coated the inflamed areas.
Gelclair has been proven to reduce pain and discomfort in adult cancer patients. Cambridge Laboratories is now working with Great Ormond Street Hospital to establish whether Gelclair has a place in children's cancer care.