title: Vitamin E in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of vitamin E in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in patients with malignancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of topical vitamin E in the treatment of oral mucositis in patients receiving chemotherapy for various types of malignancy. A total of 18 patients, 17 of whom had solid tumors and one with acute leukemia, were included in this study. Lesions were observed daily prior to and 5 days after topical application of either vitamin E or placebo oil.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six of nine patients receiving vitamin E had complete resolution of their oral lesions. In eight of nine patients who received placebo, complete resolution of their oral lesions was not observed. This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.025 by Fisher's exact test). No toxicity was observed in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that vitamin E may be an effective therapy in patients with chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20422.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wadleigh
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Krasnow
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014810:Vitamin E