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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

1,325 questions in 34 reviews · Oral medicine and oral cancer

current versions
No studies 164 · 12.4%Ungraded 841 · 63.5%Very low 209 · 15.8%Low 72 · 5.4%Moderate 38 · 2.9%High 1 · 0.1%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Direct and indirect costs to participants and health services · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
No included studies addressed direct and indirect costs to participants and health services (review-wide gap).0 studiesNo studies
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral pain · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Radiotherapy to the head and neck
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Oral pain was assessed in this subgroup but the study (Kakoei 2013) did not report details of the scale used, so the data could not be used (no usable estimate).1 studyUngraded
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Overall survival · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
HR 0.82 [0.69, 0.97]3 studies · 1421 participantsModerate
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone
Overall survival · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, BCG cell wall preparation + surgery (Bier 1981)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
BCG-CWP + surgery versus surgery alone: 3-year overall survival 10/10 vs 9/10; too few participants to calculate a hazard ratio (Bier 1981, 24 participants).1 study · 24 participantsUngraded
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Progression-free survival · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Monoclonal antibody + radiotherapy vs radiotherapy alone
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
HR 0.70 [0.54, 0.91]1 study · 424 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral mucositis (any severity) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.59 [0.35, 1.01]5 studies · 270 participantsLow
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Number of days in hospital (duration of hospitalisation) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Summary of findings for the main comparison (5FU solid cancers): Duration of hospitalisation (days) - 'No studies assessed this outcome'.0 studiesNo studies
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Xerostomia (grades >=3)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.36 [0.80, 2.31]2 studies · 1311 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral pain · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
MD -1.93 [-2.37, -1.49]1 study · 80 participantsVery low
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Overall survival · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
HR 0.99 [0.62, 1.57]2 studies · 271 participantsVery low
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Placebo
Salivary flow rates · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction
Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Only two studies measured salivary flow rates (Johnson 1993; LeVeque 1993); no usable summary/pooled data reported.2 studiesUngraded
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Mucositis (grades >=3)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.22 [0.96, 1.56]2 studies · 286 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy for 30 minutes vs Oral cryotherapy for 60 minutes
Oral mucositis (severe) · Adults with solid cancers receiving fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.60 [0.23, 1.58]1 study · 178 participantsVery low
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Chlorhexidine rinse
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Adults with solid cancers receiving fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.97 [0.71, 1.32]1 study · 133 participantsVery low
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Skin toxicity/acneiform rash (nimotuzumab, grades >=3)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.20 [0.01, 4.05]1 study · 92 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Low-dose leucovorin rinse
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) receiving high-dose methotrexate, vincristine and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.67 [0.50, 0.90]1 study · 118 participantsVery low
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Low-dose leucovorin rinse
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) receiving high-dose methotrexate, vincristine and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.18 [0.01, 3.42]1 study · 118 participantsVery low
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.43 [0.17, 1.09]5 studies · 270 participantsLow
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Mucositis (all grades)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.94, 1.11]2 studies · 286 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral mucositis (any severity) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.61 [0.52, 0.72]5 studies · 444 participantsModerate
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Quality of life · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Summary of findings for the main comparison (5FU solid cancers): Quality of life - 'No studies assessed this outcome'.0 studiesNo studies
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Chlorhexidine rinse
Oral mucositis (severe) · Adults with solid cancers receiving fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.86 [0.34, 2.18]1 study · 133 participantsVery low
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Interruptions to cancer treatment (incidence) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Summary of findings 2 (melphalan/HSCT): Interruptions to cancer treatment - 'No studies assessed this outcome'.0 studiesNo studies
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs High-dose leucovorin rinse
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) receiving high-dose methotrexate, vincristine and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.65 [0.47, 0.90]1 study · 81 participantsVery low
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Disease-free survival · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Gefitinib + radiotherapy (oral cavity)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
HR 1.51 [0.61, 3.71]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Skin toxicity/acneiform rash (nimotuzumab, all grades)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.06 [0.85, 1.31]1 study · 92 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Chlorhexidine rinse
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Adults with solid cancers receiving fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.51, 1.56]1 study · 133 participantsVery low
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Dysphagia (all grades)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.97 [0.92, 1.03]3 studies · 1403 participantsUngraded
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Locoregional control · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
HR 0.89 [0.53, 1.49]2 studies · 271 participantsVery low
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral mucositis (any severity) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Low-dose methotrexate for GVHD prophylaxis after allogeneic HSCT
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.98 [0.90, 1.07]1 study · 122 participantsVery low
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Stomatitis (rIL-2, all grades)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.47 [0.75, 2.90]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs High-dose leucovorin rinse
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) receiving high-dose methotrexate, vincristine and leucovorin
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe). Not estimable - no participants had developed moderate or severe oral mucositis by the fourth day after chemotherapy when the data were reported (Zhang 2011, Analysis 4.2, subgroup…1 study · 81 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral mucositis (severe) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Low-dose methotrexate for GVHD prophylaxis after allogeneic HSCT
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.61, 1.25]1 study · 122 participantsVery low
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Locoregional control · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
HR 0.68 [0.52, 0.89]1 study · 424 participantsModerate
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Skin toxicity (gefitinib, all grades)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.82, 1.28]2 studies · 286 participantsUngraded
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Placebo
Adverse effects (side effects; treatment withdrawals) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction
Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Johnson 1993 (5 mg tds): sweating 37%, headache 15%, urinary frequency 14%, vasodilatation 12%, dizziness 10%, dyspepsia 10%, nausea 8%, asthenia 8%, diarrhoea 5%; 6% withdrew at 5 mg tds and 29% at 10 mg tds. LeVeque…2 studies · 278 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Normalcy of diet (days of total parenteral nutrition, TPN) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
MD -2.18 [-4.33, -0.03]1 study · 78 participantsVery low
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Artificial saliva (mucin-based)
Other oral symptoms (dysgeusia, dysphagia) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction
Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Davies 1994 assessed dysgeusia and dysphagia; pilocarpine reported more effective than mucin-based artificial saliva for dysgeusia. No pooled data.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Leukopenia (rIL-2, all grades)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.57 [0.22, 1.50]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Number of days of treatment with opioid analgesics · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
MD -2.28 [-5.33, 0.77]1 study · 78 participantsVery low
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Gastrointestinal complaints (grades >=3, pooled)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.11 [0.83, 1.49]3 studies · 484 participantsUngraded
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Increased temperature (BCG-CWP, all grades)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.67 [0.13, 3.30]1 study · 24 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Oral mucositis (severe) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.40 [0.27, 0.61]5 studies · 444 participantsModerate
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Normalcy of diet (days of total parenteral nutrition, TPN) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Summary of findings for the main comparison (5FU solid cancers): Normalcy of diet (days of total parenteral nutrition) - 'No studies assessed this outcome'.0 studiesNo studies
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone
Locoregional control · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Recombinant interleukin-2 + neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Mantovani 1998), tumour response
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Response to treatment (Mantovani 1998; neoadjuvant chemotherapy + rIL-2 vs chemotherapy alone): complete response 4/13 vs 3/15; partial response 6/13 vs 9/15. Narrative only; no GRADE rating.1 study · 33 participantsUngraded
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib, gefitinib or lapatinib) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy)
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 40 to 60 months, Skin toxicity (grades >=3, pooled)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.25 [0.54, 2.88]4 studies · 544 participantsUngraded
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Number of days unable to take medicine orally · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
No studies reported the number of days unable to take medicine orally (whole review).0 studiesNo studies
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse)
Number of days in hospital (duration of hospitalisation) · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · High-dose melphalan-based treatment prior to HSCT (haematological cancers)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
MD -1.39 [-2.97, 0.19]2 studies · 123 participantsLow
Non-specific immunotherapy (recombinant interleukin-2 or BCG cell wall preparation) plus standard therapy vs Standard therapy alone
Adverse effects · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months, Leukopenia (rIL-2, grades >=3)
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.38 [0.04, 3.26]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Artificial saliva (mucin-based)
Xerostomia (subjective dry mouth; absolute change in VAS score) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction
Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane
Davies 1994 (cross-over, 20 participants): mean improvement in VAS score 22.5 mm with pilocarpine vs 15.2 mm with artificial saliva (100 mm scale). The improvement was greater with pilocarpine but was not statistically…1 study · 20 participantsUngraded