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24.01.2019 | Original Article

Effects of herbal medicine for xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients: an observational study in a tertiary cancer hospital

verfasst von: Ren Jye Lim, Wan Najbah Nik Nabil, Si Yan Chan, Yoke Fui Wong, Li Xian Han, Jia Ying Gong, Kun Ling Ho, Yee Siang Shew, Li Xu

Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 9/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

More than 80% head and neck cancer patients endured radiotherapy-induced xerostomia which impacts their quality of life (QoL). This observational study evaluated the effect of herbal treatment on head and neck cancer patients’ xerostomia and QoL.

Methods

Head and neck cancer patients were recruited from July 2016 till March 2017 at National Cancer Institute, Ministry of Health, Malaysia. All study participants continued their standard oncology surveillance. Treatment group participants additionally received Chinese herbal treatment. The assessments included unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR), stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR), and QoL questionnaire.

Results

Of 42 recruited participants, 28 were in the treatment group and 14 were in the control group. Participants were mainly Chinese (71.4%), stage III cancer (40.5%), and had nasopharynx cancer (76.2%). The commonly used single herbs were Wu Mei, San Qi, and Tian Hua Fen. Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, and Gan Lu Yin were the frequently prescribed herbal formulas. The baseline characteristics, USFR, SSFR, and QoL between control and treatment groups were comparable (p > 0.05). USFR between control and treatment groups were similar throughout the 6-month study period. SSFR for the treatment group significantly improved from 0.15 ± 0.28 ml/min (baseline) to 0.32 ± 0.22 ml/min (p = 0.04; at the 3rd month) and subsequently achieved 0.46 ± 0.23 ml/min (p = 0.001; at the 6th month). The treatment group had better QoL in terms of speech (p = 0.005), eating (p = 0.02), and head and neck pain (p = 0.04) at the 6th month.

Conclusion

Herbal treatment may improve xerostomia and QoL in post-radiotherapy head and cancer patients.

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Titel: Effects of herbal medicine for xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients: an observational study in a tertiary cancer hospital
verfasst von: Ren Jye Lim
Wan Najbah Nik Nabil
Si Yan Chan
Yoke Fui Wong
Li Xian Han
Jia Ying Gong
Kun Ling Ho
Yee Siang Shew
Li Xu
Publikationsdatum: 24.01.2019
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Ausgabe 9/2019
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-4646-2

Springer Medizin

Effects of herbal medicine for xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients: an observational study in a tertiary cancer hospital