Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Sodium Hyaluronate Gel in Reducing Pain From Oral Mucositis in Young Patients With Cancer

RATIONALE: Polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel may lessen the pain of oral mucositis, or mouth sores, in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying how well polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel works in reducing pain from oral mucositis in young patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVES: * Examine the feasibility and acceptability of polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel in pediatric patients experiencing oral pain from mucositis after cancer therapy. OUTLINE: This is a prospective, uncontrolled, open-label, pilot, multicenter study. Beginning before hospital discharge or day 3 after chemotherapy, patients use oral polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel mouth rinse for at least 1 minute, 3 times per day or as needed. Treatment continues for 48 hours. Patients with persistent oral pain may continue treatment with polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel beyond 48 hours. Oral pain and acceptability (i.e., taste) of polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel are assessed periodically using self-reported rating scales. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 patients will be accrued for this study.