Abstract
8268 Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) had proven efficacy in pain relief, correction of nutritional status and improving the performance status. However, lack of standardization is the major obstacle for any scientific evaluation of any CAM trial. Mucositis is a major complication of irradiation in head and neck (H&N) tumors, the addition of chemotherapy to irradiation may enhance this dose limiting problem. Licorice is a strong demulcent that had been effectively used in treatment of peptic ulcer.Methods: We had prepared a standard concentration from lyophilized licorice extract (5%w/v) and use it as a mouth wash before and immediately after each session of radiation therapy. We encouraged the patients to repeat this mouthwash and swallow it several times throughout the day. The mucositis grade is reported according to WHO grading system. Six weeks after the end of radiation the flow of saliva in 5 min was measured for the flow in response to citric acid stimulation within 5min and the Na, Cl, and bicarbonate content will be measured. Results: Out of 45 patients with H&N tumors of different sites all treated with irradiation. Tumor stage T2–4, N0–3, M0; 17 of them were treated by combination of concomitant RT and CT, 10 were treated by additional concomitant boost to tumor site. And 29 treated with conventional RT. The mean radiation dose was 60 Gy (range 50–71 Gy) The mean overall treatment time was 6.4 wks. Only 7 pts suffer from grade III mucositis that require treatment interruption. Seven pts. Evaluated for salivary secretion; 2 were comparable to normal control, 3 had[tmsnew]63[/tmsnew] 15% reduction in the volume and 2 had 40 % reduction of the volume of saliva. Conclusions: The use of Licorice in H&N tumors is safe and prevents radiation-induced mucositis that may result in better outcome of the results, further evaluation in randomized study is urgently required to conclude in this new modality. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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