Value of sucralfate in prevention of radiation induced mucositis during and following radiotherapy of head and neck cancer

ABSTRACT

Radiotherapy of head and neck malignancies is accompanied by oral discomfort such as epithelitis, pain and functional impairment. This can lead to chronic sequelae with subjective distress such as loss of taste and xerostomia with decrease in quality of life. Thus, the need to reduce the mucosal damage following radiotherapy is obvious. In this study we investigated the possible ability of Sucralfate, an aluminum hydroxide complex of sulphated sucrose used in the treatment of gastric ulcer, in preventing oral discomfort in patients treated with curative intent in the head and neck region. The present study was randomized placebo-controlled that been included 50 patients receiving irradiation for head and neck cancer with curative intent. Sucralfate or placebo were dispensed randomly to each patient two weeks after start of radiation [after 20 Gy.] administration of drugs continued for six weeks. Patients were evaluated once every week and at the end of treatment. Re-evaluation two months after radiotherapy was performed. The present study demonstrated a reduction in the number of patients suffering from severe mucosal damage as well as pain in the Sucralfate group. It was concluded that Sucralfate can be of beneficial value in preventing radiation induced oral discomfort during and following radiotherapy of head and neck cancer and this subsequently improved the quality of life. Sucralfate administration may be beneficial in patients treated with accelerated radiotherapy or combination of radiotherapy with chemotherapy, that may be needed in head and neck cancer to improve the therapeutic efficacy