Effects of Sucralfate in the Control of Oral Mucositis in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers Undergoing Radiotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: Head and neck cancers (HNC) are common in our country. The patients with locally advanced disease are treated with combined modality approaches. Oral mucositis is one of the most common complications of radiotherapy in HNC which can lead to chronic sequelae and interrupt radiation treatment.  Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sucralfate in the control of radiation induced mucositis. Methods and materials: This quasi-experimental study was carried out among 60 locally advanced head and neck cancer patients. Every alternate patient was assigned in two groups of 30 patients. One group was treated with basic oral care and other group was treated with sucralfate in addition to basic oral care. Patients were examined weekly. Grade of mucositis was evaluated according to WHO grading scale. Results: It was found that addition of sucralfate significantly delayed the onset of mucositis. The overall percentage of mucositis (grade 1 to 4) in group without sucralfate and in group with sucralfate was 100% and 86.67% respectively. This study also revealed that addition of sucralfate significantly reduced the occurrence of weight loss in patients during radiation (p value = o.o36). 26.7% of patients in group without sucralfate required minimum 3 days of gap due to illness, whereas, 6.7% in patients of sucralfate group required that type of gap (p value = 0.037).  Conclusion: This study demonstrated that sucralfate is of beneficial value in minimizing radiation induced oral mucositis.