HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Oral mucositis and selective elimination of oral flora in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy: a double-blind randomised clinical trial.

Abstract
Mucositis is an acute inflammation of the oral mucosa because of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. All patients receiving radiotherapy in the head and neck region develop oral mucositis. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of selective oral flora elimination on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis, in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty-five patients with a malignant tumour in the head and neck regions to be treated with primary curative or postoperative radiotherapy participated in this study. The patients received either the active lozenges of 1 g containing polymyxin E 2 mg, tobramycin 1.8 mg and amphotericin B 10 mg (PTA) (33 patients) or the placebo lozenges (32 patients), four times daily during the full course of radiotherapy. Mucositis, changes in the oral flora, quality of feeding and changes of total body weight were assessed. Mucositis score did not differ between the groups during the first 5 weeks of radiotherapy. Nasogastric tube feeding was needed in six patients (19%) of the placebo group and two patients (6%) of the PTA group (P=0.08). Mean weight loss after 5 weeks of radiation was less in the PTA group (1.3 kg) (s.d.: 3.0) than in the placebo group (2.8 kg) (s.d.: 2.9) (P=0.05). Colonisation index of Candida species and Gram-negative bacilli was reduced in the PTA group and not in the placebo group (P<0.05). No effect on other microorganisms was detected. In conclusion, selective oral flora elimination in head and neck irradiation patients does not prevent the development of severe mucositis.
AuthorsM A Stokman, F K L Spijkervet, F R Burlage, P U Dijkstra, W L Manson, E G E de Vries, J L N Roodenburg
JournalBritish journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 88 Issue 7 Pg. 1012-6 (Apr 07 2003) ISSN: 0007-0920 [Print] England
PMID12671696 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
Chemical References
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
Topics
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination (therapeutic use)
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth (microbiology)
  • Mouth Mucosa (radiation effects)
  • Radiotherapy (adverse effects)
  • Stomatitis (drug therapy, etiology)
  • Weight Loss

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: