The Effect of Honey on Xerostomia and Oral Mucositis

A Randomized Control Trial for the Effect of Honey on Radiotherapy Induced Xerostomia and Oral Mucositis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancers

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of pure honey will help in the treatment of radiation induced xerostomia and oral mucositis (symptom management)

Radiation-induced mucositis is a normal acute side effect of radiotherapy treatment. Exposure of ionising radiation to oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa gives rise to radiation epithelitis towards the second and third weeks of conventional fractionated radiotherapy. Likewise, salivary flow may decrease by approximately 50% during the first week of radiotherapy and upwards of 80% by the seventh week of treatment. Acute radiation-induced xerostomia is associated with inflammatory reaction. The study will include an intervention and a control group, one receiving honey prior and after the radiotherapy and the other group not receiving honey at all.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who receive radiotherapy (RT) to the oral cavity will be included in the study.
• Patients with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of head and neck cancer referred to non-palliative radiotherapy will enter into this trial.
• aged over 18
• receiving radiotherapy for at least four weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergic to honey
• confirmed and medically treated diabetes mellitus