Efficacy of elemental diet on prevention for chemoradiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

Oral mucositis induced by radiation or chemoradiation can compromise the quality of life of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. The present study was designed to evaluate the preventive effects of elemental diet (ED), Elental®, on radiotherapy- or chemoradiotherapy-induced mucositis in OSCC patients.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients who underwent radiation (60-70 Gy) with/without chemotherapy [S-1, cisplatin (CDDP), CDDP plus S-1] were enrolled in this retrospective study; 37 had received Elental® during treatment (Elental® group) and 37 had not (control group). Factors related to alleviation of oral mucositis were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Rates of completion of chemoradiation treatments were compared between Elental® and control groups according to the treatment regimen. The comparison of the nutritional status between groups was also performed.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis indicated that the administration of Elental® and no combined chemotherapy (radiation alone) were significant factors associated with the degree of oral mucositis, i.e., most of the patients who consumed Elental® suffered from a lower degree of mucositis compared to the control group. Elental® was associated with a significantly improved rate of completion of chemoradiation (no interruption). There was no significant difference between Elental® group and control group in terms of mean change of body weight or total protein and albumin levels in blood serum before and after (chemo)radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicates that Elental® is effective for ameliorating oral mucositis induced by (chemo)radiation in OSCC patients. Elental® was also associated with improved completion rates of (chemo)radiotherapy.