Comparative Trial of Cryotherapy Versus Caphosol Versus Saline Solution Mouth Washes for the Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Patients With Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis is the inflammation of the oral mucous membranes, which are tissues that line the mouth. Oral mucositis is caused when chemotherapy attacks and kills the rapidly-dividing cells in the oral mucous membranes. This condition feels like sunburn (or heartburn) on the mucous tissues, and often leads to sores in the mouth or on the tongue. This can cause discomfort, pain, difficulties in eating, and a longer hospital stay. Several therapies appear to either prevent or reduce the severity of mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy for multiple myeloma. Different strategies are used to try and prevent this condition; a small number of trials found that some of these strategies may be effective. None of the trials had compared head to head the use of saline solution (our standard of care), cryotherapy (ice chips) and Caphosol in patients receiving high-dose melphalan. The goal of this research study to evaluate the effectiveness of saline solution, cryotherapy, Caphosol for the prevention of oral mucositis in patients with multiple myeloma receiving high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The researchers hope to learn if there are any differences among saline solution, cryotherapy and Caphosol mouth rinse for the prevention of oral mucositis.