A patient who underwent chemotherapy has dry mouth and pain when swallowing. What condition is this?

Correct answer: D. Mucositis

• A. ❌ Sjogren's syndrome causes chronic dry mouth — not an acute chemo complication.
• B. ❌ Candidiasis after chemo is possible but presents with white removable plaques, not primarily pain on swallowing.
• C. ❌ Radiation caries is a late complication of head/neck radiation, not acute chemotherapy.
• D. ✅ Correct. Chemotherapy-induced mucositis presents with painful erythematous/ulcerative lesions throughout the oral mucosa, causing dysphagia and dry mouth. It is a direct toxic effect on rapidly dividing mucosal cells.

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