Abstract
ABSTRACT To determine the effect of Calendula officinalis flower extract mouthwash as gel formulation on radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis (OM) in patients with head-and-neck cancer. Forty patients with neck and head cancers who were treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either 2% calendula extract mouthwash or placebo (20 patients in each group). The subjects were treated with telecobalt radiotherapy at conventional fractionation (2 Gy/fraction, five fractions weekly, 20–35 fractions within 4–7 weeks). Oropharyngeal mucositis was evaluated by two doctors (a radiation oncologist and a dentist), using the oral mucositis assessment scale (OMAS). The patients also received concurrent chemotherapy. Calendula mouthwash significantly decreased the intensity of OM compared to placebo at week 2 (score: 5.5 vs. 6.8, p = 0.019), week 3 (score: 8.25 vs. 10.95, p Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Highlights
One of the most commonly perturbing adverse effect of radiotherapy (RT) in head and neck cancers is oropharyngeal mucositis (OM) which comprises the main dose limiting side effect [1]
None of the patients in calendula group underwent medication for OM severity and radiotherapy was not ceased for this reason
OM intensity was measured according to oral mucositis assessment scale (OMAS) scores at the end of each week for both calendula and placebo groups
Summary
One of the most commonly perturbing adverse effect of radiotherapy (RT) in head and neck cancers is oropharyngeal mucositis (OM) which comprises the main dose limiting side effect [1]. Triottie et al stated that the incidence of radiotherapy induced OM in head and neck cancer patients is more than 80% [3]. According to the mentioned properties for calendula officinalis such as anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial, and antioxidant effects and considering the pathobiology of OM, it would be interesting to evaluate its effect on radiation-induced OM. Based on these concepts; this study was designed to determine the effect of calendula flowers extract mouthwash as gel formulation in the OM of head and neck cancers radiotherapy
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