Fluconazole (100 mg) prophylaxis can be an effective strategy to mitigate both the painful symptoms of radiation-induced oral mucositis and the risk of Candida colonization in head and neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
As per the outcomes of a study, fluconazole can remarkably alleviate radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) and minimize Candida colonization in head and neck cancer (HNC) people receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
The randomized, double-blinded clinical trial included 78 HNC patients, who were randomly assigned to receive either a daily dose of 100 mg fluconazole or a placebo during their chemoradiotherapy treatment. Researchers focused on the occurrence of grade 2 or higher RIOM as the primary outcome. The fluconazole group exhibited a notable decrease in RIOM incidence by week 7. Additionally, fluconazole was linked to a reduction in Candida carriage, with considerably fewer positive cultures observed at both week 4 and week 7.
The treatment also led to a drop in the median Candida colony-forming units at week 7. These findings underscore fluconazole’s potential as a valuable preventive treatment, helping to ease the impact of oral mucositis and limit the risk of Candida infections in HNC-affected patients receiving dual therapy (chemotherapy and radiation).
Head & Neck
Fluconazole for Preventing Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Waranyu Ueangphairot et al.
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