Melatonin for Prevention of Radiation Induced Oral Mucositis

The Effectiveness of Melatonin in Prevention of Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of melatonin in prevention of radiation induced oral mucositis clinically and biochemically.

The study was designed as randomized, controlled, clinical trial. patients who were undergoing chemoradiation were divided into two groups: Group I: was given conventional treatment. Group II: was given melatonin therapy in combination with the conventional treatment.

All patients were clinically evaluated at the start the radiotherapy, three weeks and six weeks later for pain and oral mucositis severity. in addition, the total antioxidant capacity of the melatonin was evaluated at the start of the radiotherapy and six weeks later.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are going to receive radiotherapy as a treatment of head and neck cancer either as postoperative (adjuvant) therapy or definitive therapy.
• Patients whose radiotherapy treatment planned dose is between 60-70 Gy.
• Patients who had received chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy or are going to receive chemotherapy in concomitant to radiotherapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients under Anticoagulants such as warfarin, heparin, or aspirin.
• Patients under Fluvoxamine (Luvox) and Nifedipine medications.
• Patients whose radiotherapy treatment planned dose is lower than 60 Gy.
• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Patients suffering from any uncontrolled systemic diseases (such as diabetes, cardiovascular, liver disorder, renal dysfunction)
• Patients with findings of any physical or mental abnormality which would interfere with or be affected by the study procedure.