The efficacy of oral Kangfuxin liquid combined with aerosolized inhalation of the liquid in prevention of acute radiation stomatitis

Abstract

Objective To compare the efficacy of oral Kangfuxin liquid with that of aerosolized inhalation of the liquid in the prevention of acute radiation stomatitis in patients with head and neck tumors undergoing radiation therapy.Methods 200 patients with head and neck cancer were randomly divided into group A (oral group,100 patients) and group B (inhalation group,100 patients).Group A received oral Kangfuxin liquid 3 times daily,while group B received aerosolized inhalation of the liquid twice daily.The treatment lasted during the whole radiotherapy.Results The incidence rate of grades 2 to 3 radiation stomatitis was lower in group A than in group B (19％ in group A and 33％ in group B,x2=5.09,P＜0.05); there was a significant difference between the two groups.Conclusions Both oral Kangfuxin liquid and aerosolized inhalation of the liquid can reduce the severity of acute oral mucosal radiation reaction and shorten the duration of therapy.Oral Kangfuxin is better than inhalation.Combination therapy is more effective and is worth popularizing clinically. Key words: Kangfuxin liquid; Oral; Aerosolized inhalation; Acute radiation stomatitis, Radiation therapy; Efficacy