Vitamin E in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of vitamin E in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in patients with malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of topical vitamin E in the treatment of oral mucositis in patients receiving chemotherapy for various types of malignancy. A total of 18 patients, 17 of whom had solid tumors and one with acute leukemia, were included in this study. Lesions were observed daily prior to and 5 days after topical application of either vitamin E or placebo oil. RESULTS: Six of nine patients receiving vitamin E had complete resolution of their oral lesions. In eight of nine patients who received placebo, complete resolution of their oral lesions was not observed. This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.025 by Fisher's exact test). No toxicity was observed in this study. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that vitamin E may be an effective therapy in patients with chemotherapy-induced mucositis.