Oral mucositis is among the complications of head and neck irradiation and systemic
chemotherapy. To determine whether or not
mucositis could be prevented or reduced in intensity by using
Kamillosan Liquidum as an oral rinse, 98 patients were placed on study protocols. Twenty patients who were treated with
radiation therapy and 46 patients who received systemic
chemotherapy participated in prophylactic oral care with
Kamillosan oral rinse. Thirty-two patients were treated therapeutically after
mucositis had developed. Sixteen patients receiving
chemotherapy were treated therapeutically and prophylactically with
Kamillosan oral rinse during repeated cycles of
chemotherapy. Only one of the 20 patients who had had
radiation therapy developed grade 3
mucositis in the final week of treatment. Thirty-six of the 46 patients undergoing
chemotherapy did not develop clinically noticeable
mucositis. It appears that resolution of
mucositis is accelerated by
Kamillosan rinse. Prophylactic oral care appeared to modify the oral environment favorably and maintain tissue integrity.