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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.
1,325 questions in 34 reviews · Oral medicine and oral cancer
current versionsNo 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mixed beam (neutron and photon) radiotherapy vs Conventional photon radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.04 [0.84, 1.29] | 1 study · 327 participants | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Control (treatment as usual) Daily mean opiate intake per hour · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.45 [-4.42, 3.52] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Debridement vs No debridement Mucositis severity (mild to moderate) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | Debridement vs no debridement (Cubukcu 2007): statistically significant benefit for decreased mucositis severity; no numeric estimate reported | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hypnosis vs Control (treatment as usual) Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -10.50 [-36.05, 15.05] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.84 [0.72, 0.99] | 4 studies · 1071 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Accelerated/boost vs conventional, locoregional control: IPD from one trial (Fu 2000); a statistically significant difference in favour of the accelerated schedule with boost was shown (Analysis 1.2). No numeric… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pethidine vs Staff-controlled delivery of pethidine Daily mean opiate intake per hour · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -4.00 [-10.14, 2.14] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo Mucositis eradicated · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.13 [0.66, 1.94] | 2 studies · 84 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash Mucositis eradicated · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.10 [0.90, 1.35] | 1 study · 138 participants | Ungraded |
Fluconazole (absorbed from GI tract) vs Ketoconazole (absorbed from GI tract) Mycological: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.95 [0.52, 1.72] | 1 study · 37 participants | Ungraded |
Low dose rate interstitial radiotherapy vs High dose rate interstitial radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.00 [0.16, 6.44] | 1 study · 59 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated/accelerated split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Hyperfractionated/accelerated split course vs accelerated boost (Fu 1995, feasibility study, 75 participants): authors report no significant difference in total mortality; data not presented in a way that allows… | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
Miconazole 50 mg tablet (partially absorbed) vs Miconazole 500 mg gel (partially absorbed) Clinical: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.16 [0.91, 1.47] | 1 study · 282 participants | Ungraded |
Fluconazole (absorbed from GI tract) vs Itraconazole (absorbed from GI tract) Clinical: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.14 [1.00, 1.30] | 2 studies · 293 participants | Ungraded |
Any antifungal intervention for the treatment of oral candidiasis vs Placebo, no treatment, or another active antifungal intervention Cost of oral care · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported: relief of pain, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, amount of analgesia, days stay in hospital, cost of oral care, patient quality of life. | 0 studies | No studies |
Phenytoin mouthrinse vs Placebo Quality of life · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis · 7 days Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -15.10 [-26.04, -4.16] | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy (hyperfractionated and/or accelerated) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.85 [0.70, 1.03] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Diclofenac vs Placebo Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.30 [-0.86, 0.26] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Human placental extract vs Disprin (aspirin/betamethasone) Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 4.50 [2.29, 8.86] | 1 study · 120 participants | Ungraded |
Relaxation and imagery training vs Control (treatment as usual) Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -8.22 [-21.79, 5.35] | 1 study · 46 participants | Ungraded |
'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash Mucositis eradicated · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.98 [0.78, 1.24] | 1 study · 133 participants | Ungraded |
Neutron radiotherapy vs Conventional photon radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 5 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.36, 1.09] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.74 [0.62, 0.89] | 3 studies · 966 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.95 [0.80, 1.13] | 3 studies · 1203 participants | Ungraded |
Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Accelerated/boost vs conventional, disease free survival: all four trials provided data; pooled estimate showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the accelerated/boost schedule, with statistical… | 4 studies · 1203 participants | Ungraded |
Split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 2 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.33 [0.67, 2.67] | 1 study · 110 participants | Ungraded |
Gelclair vs Sucralfate and mucaine Mucositis severity (mild to moderate) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.50 [0.17, 1.46] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-operative and post-operative radiotherapy vs Post-operative radiotherapy alone Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.13 [0.78, 1.64] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.78 [0.68, 0.90] | 3 studies · 966 participants | Ungraded |
Absorbed drug (fluconazole or ketoconazole) vs Drug not absorbed from GI tract (amphotericin B or nystatin) Mycological: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.82 [1.28, 2.57] | 3 studies · 189 participants | Ungraded |
Phenytoin mouthrinse vs Placebo Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -1.70 [-3.85, 0.45] | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Split-course radiotherapy vs Accelerated radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 2 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.83 [0.29, 2.42] | 1 study · 110 participants | Ungraded |
Absorbed drug (fluconazole or ketoconazole) vs Drug not absorbed from GI tract (amphotericin B or nystatin) Clinical: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.29 [1.09, 1.52] | 3 studies · 207 participants | Ungraded |
Vitamin E (topical) vs Vitamin E (swallowed) Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis · 5 days Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 15.40 [4.01, 59.21] | 1 study · 63 participants | Ungraded |
Pre-operative and post-operative radiotherapy vs Post-operative radiotherapy alone Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.13 [0.78, 1.64] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Morphine via pharmacokinetically based PCA (PKPCA) vs Morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) Daily mean opiate intake per hour · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD 3.60 [1.47, 5.73] | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Clotrimazole (partially absorbed from GI tract) vs Placebo Mycological: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 6.13 [0.38, 99.14] | 1 study · 13 participants | Ungraded |
Any antifungal intervention for the treatment of oral candidiasis vs Placebo, no treatment, or another active antifungal intervention Amount of analgesia · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported: relief of pain, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, amount of analgesia, days stay in hospital, cost of oral care, patient quality of life. | 0 studies | No studies |
Neutron radiotherapy vs Conventional photon radiotherapy Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 5 years Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.69, 1.36] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Altered fractionation radiotherapy (hyperfractionated and/or accelerated) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… · 5 years, All included studies Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 0.86 [0.76, 0.98] | 13 studies · 3751 participants | Very low |
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pethidine vs Staff-controlled delivery of pethidine Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -21.00 [-45.79, 3.79] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Partially absorbed antifungal drug (e.g., clotrimazole, miconazole) vs Drug not absorbed from GI tract (e.g., nystatin, amphotericin B) Outcome NR · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | There were no trials comparing partially absorbed drugs with either absorbed drugs or drugs not absorbed. | 0 studies | No studies |
Accelerated radiotherapy (no split, boost or hyperfractionation) vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Total mortality · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Accelerated vs conventional, total mortality: only one trial reported data (Skladowski 2006; IPD available). A statistically significant difference in favour of the altered fractionation was shown (Analysis 1.1). No… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Any antifungal intervention for the treatment of oral candidiasis vs Placebo, no treatment, or another active antifungal intervention Incidence of systemic infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported: relief of pain, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, amount of analgesia, days stay in hospital, cost of oral care, patient quality of life. | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash Time to heal mucositis (days) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.40 [-1.49, 0.69] | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Hyperfractionated radiotherapy vs Conventional (standard) fractionation radiotherapy Disease free survival · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | Hyperfractionated vs conventional, disease free survival: data available for one trial (Fu 2000); no statistically significant difference (Analysis 1.3). No pooled estimate reported. | 1 study | Ungraded |
'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.60 [-10.92, 9.72] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Lower total dose radiotherapy (67.2 Gy over 5.6 weeks) vs Conventional/standard total dose radiotherapy (72 Gy) Locoregional control · People with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (ICD-O C01-C06) or oropharynx (ICD-O C09-C10); head and… Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy (2010) · Cochrane | HR 1.13 [0.78, 1.64] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Ketoconazole (absorbed from GI tract) vs Placebo Mycological: eradication of oral candidiasis · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 5.09 [0.73, 35.49] | 1 study · 47 participants | Ungraded |
Sufentanil vs Morphine Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD 5.40 [-3.10, 13.90] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |