PRINCETON, N.J., March 6 (UPI) -- Cancer chemotherapy patients who suffer from painful mouth sores now have a U.S.-based Web site that can help them get relief.
The Web site, www.caphosol.com/careom, is sponsored by Cytogen, the Princeton, N.J., pharmaceutical company that markets Caphosol, a product that eases dryness of the mouth or throat.
"Oral mucositis is one of the most common and painful side effects we see in our cancer patients," said Athena Papas, professor of general dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. "We need to raise awareness of oral mucositis among physicians and nurses and increase support for patients and caregivers managing oral mucositis."
The condition often arises among patients being treated with high-dose chemotherapy regimens and in patients undergoing radiation. It is the third most debilitating side effect of anti-cancer treatment, behind nausea and vomiting.
The Web site, which went active Tuesday, is designed to help raise awareness of oral mucositis, said Michael Becker, president of Cytogen Corporation. "As we make Caphosol more widely available in the United States, our goal is to improve the quality of cancer patients' lives through the effective management of oral mucositis."
Caphosol is an advanced electrolyte solution indicated in the United States as an adjunct to standard oral care in treating oral mucositis.
