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Cancer treatments can sometimes affect the inside of your mouth and throat causing inflammation, swelling, and sores. These sores can make it hard to eat, drink, or talk. The goal is to prevent and manage symptoms while keeping your mouth healthy. Checking your mouth daily, keeping it clean, and telling your healthcare team about any changes are important steps in preventing and managing mouth sores.

The signs and symptoms of mouth and throat sores can differ from person to person. They can also range from mild to severe. Mouth and throat sores can feel like a sunburn and can cause dry mouth. As irritation and inflammation progress, open sores or blisters can develop, making it painful to talk, eat, chew, or swallow. At this stage, working with your healthcare team, drinking plenty of water, and keeping your mouth clean is very important to prevent infection.

Mouth and throat sores can begin to develop 1 to 2 weeks after your treatment starts and may take up to a month to heal fully after treatment is complete. Sores can also come and go during cancer treatment.

Certain types of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy can cause sores in the mouth or throat. Radiation therapy to the head, neck, and chest can also have this effect. These treatments can damage the tissue, causing inflammation and swelling. Your risk of sores depends on the specific type of treatment you are receiving and the doses.

Talk to your healthcare team about how to identify the early signs and symptoms of mouth and throat sores. Controlling pain is important so you’re able to drink and eat enough to stay healthy.

• Suck on ice chips or a frozen pop.
• Gently clean your teeth, gums, and tongue after each meal.
• Get regular dental check-ups.
• Stay away from hot, spicy, or crunchy foods.
• Eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals.
• Use a straw to drink.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

It’s always a good idea to tell a member of your healthcare team when you notice a side effect from treatment or a symptom that concerns you. These problems can often be prevented or eased with help from your healthcare team or through palliative care services. Mouth and throat sores are common side effects of lung cancer treatment, and there are many ways to help manage them.

Contact your healthcare team if you:

• See or feel any early signs of mouth sores, such as redness, swelling, or discomfort
• Have bleeding or sores in your mouth or throat
• Have a fever greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit
• Have trouble sleeping, eating, and/or drinking due to your mouth sores