The effect of a calcium phosphate mouth rinse on (chemo) radiation induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients:a prospective study

Objectives: Promising results of a calcium phosphate (CP) mouth rinse on reduced severity of oral mucositis have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a CP mouth rinse on the frequency, duration and severity of (chemo) radiation induced oral mucositis in patients with head-neck cancer. Material and method: patients with oral malignancies, treated with (chemo) radiotherapy, were included. Patients rinsed four times a day with a CP mouth rinse. Patients not willing to rinse with the CP mouth rinse served as control. Mucositis was scored according to the WHO score at baseline and twice a week during the full course of (chemo) radiotherapy. Patient's self-reported mouth-throat soreness (MTS) was evaluated at the same time interval using a diary in the CP mouth rinse group. The outcomes on MTS were compared with a historical control group. Results: Fifty-two patients were analysed: 25 CP mouth rinse group, 11 control group and 16 historical group. There was no significant difference between the CP group and control group on development and severity of oral mucositis. No significant difference was found for subjective outcomes on MTS between the CP group and the historical group. Conclusions: The CP mouth rinse seems to have no influence on the frequency, duration and severity of oral mucositis during (chemo) radiation in patients with head and neck cancer. A trend to develop less MTS for drinking and eating was found when applying the CP mouth rinse.