[Oropharyngeal mucositis--pain management].

Oropharyngeal mucositis is a clinically significant and painful complication of an intensive chemotherapy or head and neck radiotherapy. The management of a patient in risk of this complication must include appropriate and generally recommended prophylactic measures. An effective and safe treatment must be offered to patients who have developed oropharyngeal mucositis. The basic care involves local mouthwashes, sprays or viscous gels with variable effect on pain reduction. In more serious cases, tramadol and morphine are the drugs of choice; transdermal fentanyl or buprenorphine can be considered as an alternative. Pain management must be individualized.