Do grape and black mulberry molasses have an effect on oral mucositis and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of black mulberry and grape molasses on the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis and quality of life (QoL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Patients treated for HNC between 2010 and 2018 in our department were divided into three groups (group 1 = control (n = 14), group 2 = grape molasses (n = 40), and group 3 = black mulberry molasses (n = 40)). Oral mucositis, pain scoring, and weight loss were evaluated weekly. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) General QoL Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and EORTC Head and Neck Cancer QoL Module (QLQ-HN35) were used to evaluate QoL. RESULTS: The mean body weight, scores of oral mucositis, and pain were similar among the groups throughout the treatment. Both groups 2 and 3 were associated with improved outcomes for swallowing, opening mouth, and weight loss in the EORTC HN35, and these parameters were not significantly different between groups 2 and 3. Global health score was higher in group 3 at the 6th week of RT compared to that of group 2. Both groups 2 and 3 had improved scores for role functioning, emotional and social functioning, fatigue, appetite loss, and pain throughout the treatment compared to group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Both grape and black mulberry molasses improved the QoL in HNC patients. No significant difference between black mulberry and grape molasses was found with regard to the healing of oral mucositis.