Honey – An Alternative Therapy For Radiation Induced Mucositis

Objectives: Mucositis is one of the most common complications of radiotherapy among head and neck cancer patients. Currently available treatment modalities are only palliative which can reduce the onset and severity of radiation induced mucositis.
Methods: A randomized control trail was conducted on 51 patients suffering from head and neck cancers into 3 groups were studied using topical application of pure natural honey, benzydamine hydrochoride and normal saline on radiation induced mucositis during the course of radiotherapy. Oral mucositis assessment scale given by WHO is used to assess the degree of mucositis.
Results: The severity of mucositis was comparatively less in Group I compared to Group II and III. In Group I,88.2% had not developed mucositis. By the end 11.8% of the subjects were found with grade 2 mucositis.
In group II,23.5% had not developed mucositis. None of the subjects remained with grade 1 mucositis, 13(71%) of the subjects have developed grade 1 mucositis at some point in the course of the study, but progressed to more severe grades by the end of the study. The proportions of the subjects that developed grade 2,3,4 mucositis were 58.8%,11.8% and 5.9% respectively.
In group III 29.4 % had not developed mucositis,5.9% had developed grade 1 mucositis,23.5 % had developed grade 2 mucositis,35.3 % had developed grade 3 mucositis and 5.9% had developed grade 4 mucositis. The significance difference across the study groups was analyzed by chi-square test (p=0.001).
Conclusions: Pure natural honey can be helpful in reducing the onset and severity of radiation induced mucositis.