Abstract
Background Xerostomia is a common complication following radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC), for which there is no single, universally accepted therapy. Coconut oil has been anecdotally suggested to provide relief for this complication. This study sought to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of coconut oil as a therapy for radiation-induced xerostomia. Methods A feasibility study was performed among 30 patients with xerostomia subsequent to radiation for HNC. Coconut oil samples were provided along with a protocol for use over a 2-week period and the option to continue if they found it beneficial. Patients were also instructed to keep diaries to document their patterns of use. The Xerostomia-related Quality of Life Scale (XeQOLS) was administered at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Descriptive methods were used to summarize patterns of coconut oil use and paired t-tests were used to assess changes in XeQOLS scores over time. Results The mean total duration of coconut oil use during the study period was 16 days (1–71). The average number of uses per day was 3 (1–5), with an average amount per use of 5 mL (1.2–8.5). Twelve patients (41.4%) continued coconut oil use beyond the advised period. There was no statistically significant difference in XeQOLS scores pre- and post-treatment. There were no adverse events during the study period. Conclusions The use of coconut oil as a treatment strategy for xerostomia post-HNC radiation is feasible, inexpensive, and safe. This study demonstrates that there may be a group of HNC patients that benefit from its use.
Highlights
Xerostomia is a common complication in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC), with 60–100% of patients experiencing some degree of xerostomia [1,2,3,4]
Completed diaries were available for 29 participants. 19 patients (73.1%) used coconut oil for the duration of the twoweek study period. e mean total duration of coconut oil use during our study period was 16 days. e average number of uses per day was 3. e average amount of coconut oil per use was 5 mL, and the average total amount of coconut oil used per day was 16 mL
Of participants who continued coconut oil usage the mean number of uses per day was 4; the average amount of coconut oil per usage was 5 mL; and the average total amount of coconut oil used per day was 20 mL. ese participants who continued to use coconut oil did not necessarily use the product every day
Summary
Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common complication in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC), with 60–100% of patients experiencing some degree of xerostomia [1,2,3,4]. Ere is no standard, universally effective therapy for the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia. Salivary gland transplant and intensity-modulated radiotherapy are two approaches to preventing radiation-induced xerostomia, though neither is 100% effective at preventing the complication, and neither has been universally adopted [11,12,13,14,15]. Xerostomia is a common complication following radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC), for which there is no single, universally accepted therapy. Is study sought to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of coconut oil as a therapy for radiation-induced xerostomia. E mean total duration of coconut oil use during the study period was 16 days (1–71). E use of coconut oil as a treatment strategy for xerostomia post-HNC radiation is feasible, inexpensive, and safe. Conclusions. e use of coconut oil as a treatment strategy for xerostomia post-HNC radiation is feasible, inexpensive, and safe. is study demonstrates that there may be a group of HNC patients that benefit from its use
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