Department of Clinical Haematology Oxford BMT Programme B.2.7d Page 1 of 14 April 2022 V1.2 Diagnosis And Management of Oral Chronic GVHD Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Oral Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Background The oral cavity is one of the most frequently affected sites in chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD). Oral symptoms can have a significant effect on quality of life post-HSCT. Inability to maintain a normal diet due to oral discomfort is a risk factor for poor nutrition in these patients. In addition there is a risk of second malignancy in the oral cavity and appropriate education and screening is necessary. Oral cGVHD may present as lichenoid-appearing hyperkeratotic lesions, hyperkeratotic plaques, erythema and ulceration, atrophy of the oral mucosa, fibrosis and sclerodermoid changes of the oral mucosa and perioral region, salivary gland dysfunction and taste dysfunction. Patients may report generalised or localised oral mucosal sensitivity and pain, dry mouth symptoms, taste disturbance and difficulty eating. Superficial mucoceles are often described by patients as “bubbles” developing on the lower lip or palate prior to or during mealtimes. Patients who experienced long periods of mucositis during their transplant or who have severe ulcerative cGVHD may have difficulties maintaining good oral hygiene. This can lead to the development of periodontal disease and dental caries. Hyposalivation also increases the risk of dental decay. Whilst immunosuppressed patients are at greater risk of oral infections, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Topical therapy for oral cGVHD may be complicated by infection, usually fungal, due to local immunosuppression and appropriate prophylaxis is usually required. Assessment of severity 1. Mucosal disease a. Patient reported
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Department of Clinical Haematology
Oxford BMT Programme
B.2.7d Page 1 of 14 April 2022 V1.2 Diagnosis And Management of Oral Chronic GVHD
Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Oral Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
Background
The oral cavity is one of the most frequently affected sites in chronic graft versus host disease
(cGVHD). Oral symptoms can have a significant effect on quality of life post-HSCT.
Inability to maintain a normal diet due to oral discomfort is a risk factor for poor nutrition in
these patients. In addition there is a risk of second malignancy in the oral cavity and
appropriate education and screening is necessary.
Oral cGVHD may present as lichenoid-appearing hyperkeratotic lesions, hyperkeratotic
plaques, erythema and ulceration, atrophy of the oral mucosa, fibrosis and sclerodermoid
changes of the oral mucosa and perioral region, salivary gland dysfunction and taste
dysfunction.
Patients may report generalised or localised oral mucosal sensitivity and pain, dry mouth
symptoms, taste disturbance and difficulty eating. Superficial mucoceles are often described
by patients as “bubbles” developing on the lower lip or palate prior to or during mealtimes.
Patients who experienced long periods of mucositis during their transplant or who have severe
ulcerative cGVHD may have difficulties maintaining good oral hygiene. This can lead to the
development of periodontal disease and dental caries. Hyposalivation also increases the risk
of dental decay.
Whilst immunosuppressed patients are at greater risk of oral infections, including bacterial,
viral and fungal infections. Topical therapy for oral cGVHD may be complicated by
infection, usually fungal, due to local immunosuppression and appropriate prophylaxis is
usually required.
Assessment of severity
1. Mucosal disease
a. Patient reported
Department of Clinical Haematology
Oxford BMT Programme
B.2.7d Page 2 of 14 April 2022 V1.2 Diagnosis And Management of Oral Chronic GVHD
Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
i. Lee symptom scale (mouth subset)
ii. Chronic oral mucosal diseases questionnaire (Appendix 1)
iii. Chronic cGVHD Activity Assessment – Patient Self Report (1)
b. Clinical assessment
i. NIH modified oral mucosa score (0-12) (1)
ii. NIH organ scoring (0-3) (2)
2. Salivary gland disease
a. Patient reported
i. Xerostomia questionnaire may be used
Department of Clinical Haematology
Oxford BMT Programme
B.2.7d Page 3 of 14 April 2022 V1.2 Diagnosis And Management of Oral Chronic GVHD
Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
ii. Ask regarding modification of diet and symptoms during daytime
iii. Nocturnal dryness and dryness of the mouth on awakening is normal
however it may be more severe in these patients
b. Clinical assessment
i. Dry oral mucosa – mirror or gloved finger sticks to buccal mucosa
ii. No saliva pooling in floor of mouth
iii. Formal sialometry – less than 0.2ml/min resting salivary flow rate
1. Ask patient to expectorate saliva into a cup for 15 minutes
without stimulating flow, measure volume and calculate rate in
ml/min.
Investigations
1. Diagnosis of oral cGVHD (2,3)
a. This is primarily a clinical diagnosis, based on the presence of diagnostic
features:
i. Lichen-planus like changes (hyperkeratotic white lines and lacy
appearance)
b. Distinctive features include:
i. Xerostomia
ii. Mucoceles
iii. Mucosal atrophy
iv. Ulcers
v. Pseudomembranes
c. Biopsy is not usually necessary, but if performed the pathology is as follows:
i. Mucosa – lichenoid interface reaction, with lymphocyte exocytosis and
apoptosis
ii. Minor salivary glands – lymphocytic inflammation (periductal or
interlobular) with lymphocyte exocytosis and commonly periductal
fibrosis
2. Diagnosis of common infections
a. The majority of oral infections may be diagnosed clinically.
i. Dental infection – pain localised to a tooth, sensitivity to hot and cold
or biting, presence of a draining sinus, gingival abscess or swelling.
Dental radiographs may demonstrate bone loss around the apex or root
of the tooth due to infection.
ii. Candidal infection – presence of pseudomembranous deposits which
wipe off, erythematous areas associated with removable dentures,
erythematous areas on the dorsal tongue and hard palate. Swabs are
useful for assessing drug resistance but correlate poorly with active
infection (organism is a commensal).
iii. Viral infection – recrudescent herpetic infection presents with small
vesicles or ulcers clustered together or coalescing, unilateral and
limited to a nerve distribution. Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis
Department of Clinical Haematology
Oxford BMT Programme
B.2.7d Page 4 of 14 April 2022 V1.2 Diagnosis And Management of Oral Chronic GVHD
Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
presents with generalised ulceration and inflammation of the gingivae
and labial mucosae.
1. Swabs for PCR and viral culture may be useful in identifying
the virus and any drug resistance.
3. Diagnosis of abnormal mucosal lesions
a. Some lesions may be easily diagnosed clinically (e.g. aphthous ulceration)
however the majority of abnormal mucosa lesions which are not consistent
with oral cGVHD will require biopsy for diagnosis, in view of the risk of
second malignancy/recurrence, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease and
unusual infective or neoplastic processes in this patient population.
b. Patients with oral lesions requiring biopsy should be referred to an oral
medicine or oral surgery unit.
Important differential diagnoses
It is important to recognise that not all oral symptoms in this patient cohort are due to
cGVHD. Patients may have significant oral mucosal sensitivity and pain in the absence of
any clinical evidence of GVHD, and this is often due to a small fibre neuropathy of the oral
cavity (post-inflammatory hyperalgesia or oral dysaesthesia). This may occur following
significant mucosal inflammatory disease or may be idiopathic. The symptoms are worsened
by haematinic deficiency, psychological stress/mood disorders and ongoing medical illness.
Immunosuppressive treatment is unlikely to change these symptoms.
1. Infection
a. Bacterial infection
i. This is usually related to dental or periodontal structures and will
require appropriate broad spectrum coverage, including anaerobic
coverage. It is important that the source of the infection is also treated
ie. teeth are treated by root canal therapy or extracted, and abscesses
are drained. Antibiotics will control dental infection but it will recur if
the source is not eliminated.
b. Fungal infection
i. Candidal infection of the oral cavity is a significant problem in the
immunosuppressed patient. Candida is a normal commensal organism
in the majority of the population. Active infection should be diagnosed
clinically – swabs are not useful due to the organism being a
commensal. Positive swabs do not correlate well with active infection.
ii. Systemic antifungal treatment with fluconazole is usually
recommended, and the addition of a topical agent such as miconazole
or nystatin can be helpful in maintaining long term control.
iii. Some patients are particularly susceptible to recurrent fungal infection
and will require prophylactic treatment. This may range from second
daily chlorhexidine mouthwash to a course of nystatin or miconazole
for the first week of every month.
Department of Clinical Haematology
Oxford BMT Programme
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Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
c. Viral infection
i. HSV reactivation is a possibility in these patients although the majority
are on prophylactic antiviral treatment.
ii. Viral ulceration has a distinct clinical appearance and should be
distinguished from cGVHD.
iii. Viral ulceration of the oral mucosa is extremely painful and should be
managed aggressively with topical anaesthesia and/or prescription of
drugs for neuropathic pain (such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline) if
symptoms persist after resolution of the ulceration.
iv. If unresponsive to standard antiviral therapy consider sending sample to
test for acyclovir resistance (liaise with Consultant Virolgist).
2. Inflammatory
a. Oral cGVHD is virtually indistinguishable clinically and histologically from
oral lichen planus (OLP). The principles of treatment are similar.
3. Neurological
a. Neuropathic pain due to chemotherapy effects, post-inflammatory hyperalgesia
or idiopathic oral dysaesthesia is a common cause of persistent oral sensitivity
and pain in the absence of clinical signs of active cGVHD or infection.
b. Symptoms reported include pain, burning, excessive sensitivity to food and
drinks (particularly spicy/hot temperatures), sensation of dryness in the
presence of good salivary flow, abnormal taste (often metallic) or loss of taste,
perception of abnormal sensations (e.g. pressure, pushing) or size of oral cavity
structures (e.g. tongue, teeth)
4. Neoplastic
a. Oral epithelial dysplasia is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa.
It is a histological diagnosis. The clinical appearance of dysplastic areas may
range from thick homogeneous white plaques, to mixed red and white speckled
lesions, to erythroplakia (deep red areas). If the mucosal appearance is not
consistent with lichenoid changes of cGVHD then biopsy is required to rule
out other pathologies, including dysplasia and malignancy.
5. Other
a. Calcineurin-inhibitor associated fibrovascular polyps
i. Well-defined, ulcerative, exophytic masses, often associated with
trauma
ii. Require biopsy / excision due to interference with function and to rule
out other pathology
b. Verruciform xanthoma
i. Yellow-white to red papillary surface, requires biopsy to rule out
carcinoma
ii. Managed by surgical excision
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Oxford BMT Programme
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Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
Treatment
Treatment consists of active treatment aimed at reducing the intensity of the inflammatory
response in the oral mucosa, and symptom control treatment, which should run in parallel
with active therapy.
Active treatment
The intensity of treatment depends on severity and chronicity of symptoms. The treatment
ladder, in order of increasing intensity of treatment, is as follows:
1. Topical corticosteroids
a. Betamethasone mouthwash
i. Betamethasone 500mcg soluble tablets – dissolve in 20ml water, rinse
and hold in mouth for 3-5 mins then spit out, 2-3 times daily
b. Fluticasone propionate mouthwash or spray (mouthwash for widespread
disease, spray for localised areas of disease)
i. Flixonase 400mcg nasules – open one nasule into 10-15ml water, rinse
and hold in mouth for 3-5 mins then spit out, up to three times daily
ii. Flixonase 50mcg nasal spray – 2 puffs to painful area twice daily
c. Elocon (Mometasone) 0.1% ointment
i. Apply a small amount directly to the ulcerated area twice daily
d. Budesonide mouthwash (second line therapy)
i. Budesonide 1mg respules (Pulmicort) – open one respule into 20 ml
water, rinse and hold in mouth for 3-5 mins then spit out, twice daily
2. Topical immunomodulators
a. Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment
i. Apply a small amount directly to the ulcerated area twice daily
ii. Use for up 3-4 weeks at a time with 2-4 week window
3. Intralesional corticosteroids
a. These are indicated for localised persistent areas of ulceration which have not
responded to a combination of topical therapies as above
b. Up to 20mg of triamcinolone acetonide injected directly underneath the
ulcerated area, may be repeated after a 4 week period (use 40mg/ml
concentration)
4. Systemic therapy
a. If topical therapy has failed to control symptoms, systemic therapy including
oral prednisolone and/or immunosuppression should be initiated according to
local guidelines
5. Extracorporeal photophoresis
a. There is some evidence that ECP can be an effective means of managing
severe oral GVHD which is poorly responsive to topical and systemic
therapies.(4)
Symptom control
Department of Clinical Haematology
Oxford BMT Programme
B.2.7d Page 7 of 14 April 2022 V1.2 Diagnosis And Management of Oral Chronic GVHD
Authorised by: Dr Andy Peniket
This is a controlled document and therefore must not be changed
1. Pain relief
a. Topical anaesthetic
i. Difflam (benzydamine hydrochloride)
1. Available as a spray or mouthwash, may be used 2 hourly as
required for relief of symptoms
2. Some patients may experience stinging with this formulation
ii. Lidocaine 5% ointment
1. May be applied up to four times daily to painful or ulcerated
lesions in the oral cavity
iii. Lidocaine 10% spray
1. 2 sprays to oral mucosa every 3 hours as required, maximum 20
sprays per day
2. Barrier treatment
a. Gelclair
i. Forms a film over the oral mucosa and can effectively control
symptoms in atrophic, erosive or ulcerative disease
3. Dry mouth symptom control
a. Simple measures
i. Water sipping and maintaining hydration
ii. Stimulation of salivary flow – sugar-free sweets or chewing gum,
massage of parotid glands (apply firm pressure from pre-auricular area
forwards across cheek)
iii. Comfort – bicarbonate of soda mouthwash (1 teaspoon of bicarb soda
to 1 litre of water), olive oil applied to the oral mucosa at night
b. Salivary replacement
i. Bioextra or Biotene (OUH 1st line) saliva replacement gels
ii. Xerotin, Saliva Orthana (OUH 1st line) or Glandosane saliva