Prophylaxis of radiogenic sialadenitis and mucositis by coumarin/troxerutine in patients with head and neck cancer – a prospective,randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

To study the efficacy of coumarin/troxerutine for the protection of salivary glands and mucosa during irradiation. Design: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Setting: University hospital, Germany. Patients: 48 patients who had radiotherapy to the head and neck. Main outcome measures: Salivary gland scintigraphy and acute side-effects of radiotherapy (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) score). Results: 23 patients (11 experimental, 12 placebo) completed the study. The global efficacy measure combining scintigraphy and RTOG score favoured the experimental arm (P= 0.07). The RTOG score showed significantly fewer acute side-effects of radiation in the experimental arm (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that coumarin/troxerutine have a favourable effect in the treatment of radiogenic sialadenitis and mucositis.