| [ Summary ] |
No standard efficacious prophylactic therapy for oral mucositis has been established. Although several traditional Kampo medicines such as Hangeshashinto, Orento, Orengedokuto, Shosaikoto, Inchinkoto, Unseiin, Kanzoto, Byakkokaninjinto are used for oral mucositis, reliable evidence regarding the efficacy or toxicity of these medicines has not yet been established. We randomly assigned 93 patients with colorectal cancer who developed moderate to severe oral mucositis during chemotherapy to receive either Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) or a placebo. The median duration of grade 2 or more severe mucositis was shorter in Hangeshashinto group than in the placebo group. Hangeshashinto is expected to become a standard treatment for oral mucositis after reliable evidence of its safety and benefits are obtained. |