Protective effect of amifostine in irradiation mucositis of the oral cavity and dry mouth after nasapharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To assess the radioprotective effects of amifostine on mucositis of the oral cavity and salivary gland after nasapharygeal carcinoma.Methods During radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,patients in the control group were subjected to Bayesian gargle mouthwash 4 times a day and treated more than a day.The patients of test group were on the basis of Amifostine injection.The patients were observed on the oral mucosa and salivary glands of radioactive injury prevention effect.Results Amifostine can significantly delay or reduce radiation-induced oral mucositis and dry mouth occurs.The control group had 0 to 2 oral mucositis,dry mouth rates were 30.8%(8/26) and 34.6%(9/26).In amifostine test group mucositis,dry mouth rates were 86.7%(26/30) and 70.0%(25/30).In the control group,three or more oral mucositis and dry mouth rate were 69.2% and 65.4%.In test group,three or more oral mucositis and dry mouth rate were 13.3% and 16.7%.There were significant differences both oral mucositis and dry mouth between two groups(P0.05).Conclusion Amifostine is safe and effective radioactive protectant.It not only mitigated but also relieved the irradiation mucositis of the oral cavity and dry mouth.