Hi;
I work at a major teaching university in Chicago and work in the oncology field. (Head and Neck)
Ironically I also have head and neck cancer. I am in treatment now. Received induction chemo, and Im currently in 10 weeks of xrt and chemo, 1 week on treatment 1 week off.
Last week a follow in oncology advised me to eat ice chips or eat three popsicles right when the 5FU infusion begins. The ice chips are suppose to constrict the blood vessels in the mouth and mucositis is to be minimal. He said that he has heard from other oncologist and that is seems to work.
Has any one tried this yet?
Will be treated again on 7\10 and will try it. Will let every one know if it works.
Cindy
Buccal Cancer Stage III, N0,MO.

Cindy, if this works, it will be save so many people from so much unpleasantness. You can be sure there will be many folks waiting to hear from you! Good luck with your treatments!

Hi Cindy
Thanks for sharing , would it not be just great if something so simple could help with mucositis!
We will be sending lots of positive vibes your way, let us know how you are doing.
Take Care
Marica

Good luck Cindy. I hope it works for you. Please stop back in and let us know.

Bless and watch over you,
Barbara~

Cindy,
My mom used ice chips, it seemed to help. Best wishes to you.
Dave

Cindy,

I posted a question in another area of the forum recently asking if anyone had heard of Palifermin (trade name Kepivance). I got no responses and no questions. It is given intravenously 3 days prior to treatment. It supposedly will eliminate or shorten the duration of mucositis.

I read about this in my dental newsletter and it was new to me. I thought that you might have information about it, considering where you work. Ice chips would certainly be easier, but I'm curious about it.

Good luck on the 10th and let me know.

Jerry

Cindy, I also want to thank you for posting. Wish John had had this info prior to starting Rad tx's. Anything that helps is so valuable to the folks here. Amy

Jerry;
I will ask about the Palifermin and let you know.
I am also on a study with Argon Labs. They are taking infra-red pictures of my mouth. They took pictures baseline and than 2 wks. into trt.
What they are looking for are hot spots in the mouth that can tell how severe the mucositis will be. They are hoping that they will be able to tell sooner than when the mucositis actually starts. I know it won't help me but hopefully it will help other pts. in the long run.
I told my Dr. today that they can poison us and burn us but can't come up with anything for the side effects. He thought that was funny.....I spoke with him also about the ice he said that it does help some. So I will let every one know what happens next week.
Cindy

Although unrelated, I wanted to let you know that I used Ice Chip Post Operatively to help with swelling in the mouth and neck.

It significantly reduced the swelling and pain, from about an 8 to a 6, whenever I needed it.

It's a little uncomfortable, and nowhere near as easy as popping some pill, which is why, most likely no one really does it.

Good luck with you little study though...Your work is appreaciated by us all who will be following in your footsteps.

Maybe we should start of list of neoadjunctive and complimentary medicine things specifically to combat the ugly side effects of radiation.

I've heard Beta Carotene reduces skin burning greatly.

Beta Carotene from what studies showed also can cause lung cancer.

My radiation oncologist will only allow me to take a multi-vitamin during treatment. He said after treatment I could go to a nutritionist he won't care. But not during treatment. During treatment they are trying to kill the cancer cells (and good cells also) and the antioxdants in the vitamins actually are helping the cancer cells. So, when I finish treatment I will visit a nutriionist.
Cindy