Fluconazole a significant advance in treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in cancer patients

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of fluconazole as 50 mg capsule taken once daily for 10 days was evaluated in 40 cancer patients diagnosed as having oropharyngeal candidosis. Swabs from the oral lesions were obtained for microscopic examination and culture, in addition, Candida albican identification in the whole unstimulated saliva was obtained from each patient before beginning of therapy and after 5 and 10 days. Fluconazole provided effective control of 37 cases [92.5%] at the end of therapy. Although, microscopic and culture results remained positive in 3 out of 40 cases, the viable Candida count showed a great decrease with noticeable improvement of the clinical features. The generally well tolerated, the excellent patients compliance, the lesser toxicity and the impressive antifugal efficacy suggests the use of fluconazole in treatment of oropharyngeal candidiais in cancer patients