Investigation on the methods to prevent radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Abstract

Objective To investigate effective methods for preventing radiotherapy - induced oral mucositis among patients with cephalocervical malignant tumors. Methods 92 patients with cephalocer-vical malignant tumors treated with radiotherapy were randomly divided into group A (31 cases),group B (31 cases) and group C (30 cases). Mixture of 20 ml heartleaf houttuynia herb injection,20 ml salvia injection and 30 ml distilled water were given to patients in group A by means of nebulization inhalation one hour before and after every radiotherapy treatment, the inhalation lasted 20 minutes each time up to the end of radiotherapy. Mixture of 2 ml Kang-fu-xin injection,0.5 mg vitamin B|2 injection and SO ml normal saline were given to patients in group B by the same means as group A. Yangyin Qingfei decoction were given to patients in group C by means of selecting its 500 ml juice for oral use. Half of the 500 ml decoction were separately given 1 hour before and after each radiotherapy treatment up to the end of radiotherapy. Results The incidence rates of oral mucositis were obviously lower among patients in group A than in group B and C. Conclusions Nebulization inhalation of mixture of heartleaf houttuynia herb and salvia injections has significant clinical effects on oral mucositis after radiotherapy. Key words: Houttuynia cordata; Salvia injection; Radiotherapy; Oral mucositis