Clinical observation on prevention and treatment of radiation-induced parotid-gland injury in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma by Compound Sarcandra Glabra

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of the Compound Sarcandra Glabra on radiation injury of parotid glands in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MethodsSixty patients with primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from June 2018 to January 2019 were collected, which were divided into treatment group and control group using a random number table. All patients were treated by a combination of 9-field intense-modulated radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The treatment group was given the Compound Sarcandra Glabra orally every day from 3 days before radiotherapy to the end. The degree of xerostomia (dry mouth) of patients was compared between the two groups at the end of radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy by the chi-square test. The maximal adsorption and secretion rates of the parotid glands were compared between groups before radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy by the independent sample t-test. ResultsThe symptoms of dry mouth were alleviated in the treatment group, and the degree of dry mouth significantly differed between groups at the end of radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy (χ2 ​= ​6.696 and 10.977, P ​< ​0.05). There were no significant differences in the maximal adsorption and secretion rates of the parotid glands between groups before radiotherapy (t ​= ​0.974 and −4.646, P ​> ​0.05); however, both variables were significantly higher in the treatment group at the end of radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy (t ​= ​2.920 and 5.037; t ​= ​2.820 and 2.213, P ​< 0.05). Patients presented no liver and kidney injury after radiotherapy. ConclusionsOral administration of the Compound Sarcandra Glabra can effectively prevent radiation injury of the parotid glands in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, thereby alleviating the degree of dry mouth after radiotherapy.