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Role of turmeric extract in minimising mucositis in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell cancer: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 February 2020

P Arun ,
A Sagayaraj ,
S M Azeem Mohiyuddin  and
D Santosh
P Arun*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Government Medical College, Palakkad, India
A Sagayaraj
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, India
S M Azeem Mohiyuddin
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, India
D Santosh
Affiliation:
Department of Radiotherapy, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, India
*
Author for correspondence: Dr P Arun, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Government Medical College, Palakkad, Kerala, India E-mail: gmc.drarun@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

To determine the role of turmeric extract in reducing mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Methods

Sixty-one patients who underwent radiotherapy were included in the study and randomised into groups A and B. Patients in group A received 500 mg of turmeric extract (BCM-95) thrice daily, while patients in group B received placebo until radiotherapy completion. All patients were assessed for oral mucositis on a weekly basis during treatment and two months post-treatment using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and World Health Organization criteria.

Results

Both groups had a similar grade of mucositis in first two weeks of treatment. The severity of mucositis was progressive in the control group, with four patients developing grade 3 mucositis by week four. In group A, however, the majority of patients (73.3 per cent) had grade 1 mucositis after four weeks of treatment. The difference was statistically significant from the third week onwards (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Turmeric extract reduces the incidence and severity of radiation-induced mucositis, which can benefit patients undergoing radiation for head and neck cancer.

Keywords

TurmericMucositisHead And Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaRadiationChemoradiotherapy

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 134 , Issue 2 , February 2020 , pp. 159 - 164
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2020

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Footnotes

Dr P Arun takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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