Learning About Oral Cryotherapy (Cold Therapy) During Chemotherapy in Children

What is oral cryotherapy (cold therapy) during chemotherapy in children?

Oral cryotherapy (cold therapy) is a treatment that uses ice chips, special cryotherapy devices, and other cooling methods to make the mouth cooler during chemotherapy (chemo). Children may be given flavored ice pops or frozen smoothies to help cool their mouth instead of ice.

Cold therapy is used to help with oral mucositis (OM). OM can cause mouth and throat sores. These can make it painful to eat, drink, or swallow. OM is a common side effect of cancer therapies.

Why is it done?

Cold therapy is used during chemotherapy to help prevent or reduce mouth sores. It can help reduce pain caused by the sores. This can make it easier for children to eat and get the nutrition they need. They may not want to eat if their mouth and throat hurt.

Cold therapy can also help lower the risk of infection.

How does it work?

Chemo medicines destroy fast-growing cells in the body. These include cancer cells. But they also include cells in the mouth and throat. Damage to these cells can result in mouth sores.

Cold therapy narrows (constricts) the blood vessels in the mouth and throat. This reduces blood flow so that less of some chemo medicines gets to these areas. This may reduce the impact of chemotherapy on these cells.

The cold can also help decrease inflammation during treatment. This reduces cell damage and helps prevent ulcers and mouth sores from forming.

How well does it work?

Cold therapy during chemotherapy has been shown to be effective in helping prevent or reduce the severity of mouth sores that can result from cancer therapies. Cold therapy also has been shown to help reduce pain caused by mouth sores.

Cold therapy works best for certain chemo medicines and types of cancer. Ask your doctor if this therapy might work for your child.