TITLE:
A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of Chemotherapy- and Radiation Therapy-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Comparative Study between China and the International Literature
AUTHORS:
Yaling Deng, Chenlu Rao, Juan Hu
KEYWORDS:
Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Oral Mucositis, CiteSpace, Research Hotspots, Visualization Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
19,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To analyze the current state of research on radiotherapy- and chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis, explore current research hotspots and cutting-edge developments, and provide guidance for the development and advancement of research in this field. Methods: We searched for literature on radiotherapy and chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis published between January 1, 2000, and March 15, 2026, using the Web of Science Core Collection and CNKI databases. CiteSpace 6.3.R1 was used to conduct bibliometric and visualization analyses of the literature, examining dimensions such as keyword co-occurrence, clustering, and emergence, as well as the evolution of research over time, authors, institutions, and countries. Results: This study analyzed domestic and international literature on radiotherapy and chemotherapy-related oral mucositis (OM) from 2000 to 2026 using CiteSpace. The results showed that international research exhibited characteristics of multicenter and multidisciplinary collaboration, with core authors and institutions forming stable collaborative networks. Keyword analysis indicated that research hotspots covered basic pathology, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, low-level laser therapy, pharmacological interventions, oral microbiome, and risk prediction models; Domestic research is primarily conducted at university-affiliated hospitals and specialized cancer hospitals, with author collaboration networks concentrated within domestic institutions. Research themes are characterized by clinical nursing, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions, and specific cancer types, showing a trend toward specialized, refined, and evidence-based development from basic symptom management. Conclusion: Both domestic and international research on radiotherapy- and chemotherapy-related oral mucositis (OM) exhibits a trend toward mechanistic, precise, and personalized management, moving beyond basic clinical observation. International research is at the forefront in mechanism exploration and predictive model construction, while domestic research is characterized by its focus on clinical nursing and TCM interventions. In the future, efforts should be made to strengthen domestic cross-institutional and international collaboration, promote evidence-based interventions, and improve risk prediction and efficacy evaluation systems. At the same time, the advantages of TCM and nursing optimization should continue to be leveraged to bridge the gap between clinical practice and cutting-edge international research.