#53711 08-14-2005 01:54 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 | A little paper published a few years ago on a double-blind study (Topical application of honey in the management of the radiation mucositis: A randomized study B M Biswal et al) indicated that honey might be an adjunctive therapy to prevent severe mucositis in patients being treated for HNC with radiation. The researchers found that by taking natural honey (20 ml, swished around mouth and then swallowed) 15 minutes before and after rad, and then 6 hours later, the incidence of grade 3/4 mucositis was reduced from 70% to 20% (!). The patients were receiving 6-7 weeks radiation, total 60-70 Gy. They also found that 55% of honey-treated patients showed no loss of weight or even gain, compared to 25% of controls. Both differences were highly significant.
There are a number of studies ongoing on honey's therapeutic properties -- including several in NZ, where they are studying Manuka honey from the tea tree plant for various applications -- wounds, gangrene, stomach ulcers etc. Results are encouraging and there have been several papers published, although I couldn't find any specifically on mucositis. There is a study ongoing on HNC mucositis in UK.
Anyway, with nurses' approval we are doing a little study of our own -- using Manuka honey as in the Biswal paper, 15 mins before and after treatment and 6 hours later. A datum of one, not too useful unless it turns out to work for Barry but interesting nevertheless...
The basis for all this interest is that honey has potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, why it can sit in a comb in the humid tropics and never spoil. It is also a very good food.
Gail
CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!
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#53712 08-14-2005 06:59 AM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | gee, I wish I'd known about that when I was going through treatment! Its true honey has all sorts of healing properties. I am using it to sweeten my iced tea these days. I'll be very curious to see if Barry has less problems, though as you say you can't draw too many conclusions from a datum of one!
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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#53713 08-14-2005 09:40 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Gail If nothing else it can do no harm, which is more than can be said for most meds, I sometimes think the drug company reps should have to sample their wares... Sunshine...love and hugs Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#53714 08-14-2005 06:35 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Keep those teeth clean and free of the honey when you are done. Radiation caries are nothing to mess with.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | |
#53715 08-15-2005 07:37 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 | Brian -- you are right, you should then rinse well with water and chew a sugar-free Xylitol-containing gum. In fact, more of us (radiation or not) should do the latter after eating since lots of foods contain hidden sugars -- my dentist's recent newsletter had a long explanation on how this simple act can help prevent cavities.
Gail
CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!
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