Experimental use of oral propolis for prevention of radiation oesophagitis in patients treated with chest radiotherapy
Author(s)
F Meroni, R. Alloni, M. Ciresa, A. Scrocca1 and L. Trodella
Abstract
Oesophagitis is a common occurrence in patients subjected to chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for lung cancer; exposure of a part of oesophagus to radiation can not be avoided despite careful planning of the treatment. Acute radiation injury of the oesophageal mucosa occurs within 3-4 weeks of treatment and dosimetric factors are predictive of acute oesophageal toxicity; concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy improve survival but increase toxicity, which is mainly severe odynophagia, dysphagia and chest pain. Severe symptoms are frequently reported and difficult to relieve. A temporary or definitive discontinuation in therapeutic plan is mandatory for many patients. Propolis is a bee product which has been used as a folk medicine and it has been reported to possess various biological activities, mainly anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. We tested a propolis mixture (Cadigroup Laboratory, Rome, Italy) to evaluate its tolerability as a medication useful to prevent and/or treat swallowing symptoms; our endpoint is to allow patients to carry out their scheduled RT without symptoms.
Keywords
Radiation esophagitis, Radiotherapy for lung cancer, Propolis
