Effects of Na-sucrose Octasulfate on Skin and Mucosa Reactions During Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancers—A Randomized Prospective Study

• Published in: Acta oncologica 2001, Vol.40 (6), p.751-755
• Main Author: F. Evensen, Kristin Bjordal, Anne-Birgitte Jacobsen, Erik Løkkevik, Johan E. Tausjø, Jan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analgesics; Anti-Ulcer Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Ulcer Agents - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gels; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prospective Studies; Radiotherapy - adverse effects; Skin Diseases - drug therapy; Skin Diseases - etiology; Stomatitis - drug therapy; Stomatitis - etiology; Stomatitis - pathology; Sucrose - adverse effects; Sucrose - analogs & derivatives; Sucrose - pharmacology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0284-186X; 1651-226X
• DOI: 10.1080/02841860152619188

Na sucrose octasulfate (Na SOS) was tested for ability to relieve radiation-induced acute skin and mucosal reactions in patients with head and neck cancer. Sixty patients were included in this prospective, double-blind, randomized study. Skin and mucosal reactions were scored using several variables. No statistically significant difference was found between the results with Na SOS and those with placebo for any of the variables, with the exception of skin desquamation, which showed a significant difference in the placebo group. The most likely explanation for this is that the Na SOS gel itself left behind a flaky layer that was difficult to distinguish from radiation-induced flaking. In conclusion, we cannot recommend Na SOS in the routine management of radiation-induced skin and mucosal reactions.