Radiochemotheraphy-induced oral mucositis: Ectoin solution as a new treatment

BACKGROUND: The current treatment for head and neck cancer involves radiotherapy, systemic therapy and surgery in a multidisciplinary approach. Unfortunately, cancer therapies can lead to local and systemic complications or side effects such as mucositis, which is the most common dose-dependent complication in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. Mucositis can cause a considerably reduced quality of life in cancer patients already suffering from physical and psychological exhaustion. Moreover, radiotherapy interruptions due to toxicity can impact negatively in local control and survival. The main purpose of this study was to analyze patient satisfaction of Ectoin solution use in radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an institutional prospective analysis including 15 patients, conducted by two Spanish centers, between October 2019 and May 2020. Patients were treated with Ectoin solution during Radiotherapy and one month after the end of the treatment, three times per day. A seven-ítem Likert scale was used. We present our descriptive statistic regarding doctors and patients´s satisfaction. RESULTS: Our results suggest that Ectoin solution relieves mucositis and is well tolerated by patients. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a favorable repercussion in the oral mucositis management and suggest a potential benefit of treating it. Key words:Radiotherapy, oral mucositis, head and neck cancer, ectoine, oral care.