Don't depend on manuka honey to relieve esophagitis pain due to radiation therapy, according to a study presented at this week's American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in San Francisco.
Lead study author Dr. Lawrence Berk, from the University of South Florida, and colleagues found that the New Zealand medical-grade honey was no more effective than standard medical care for alleviating esophagitis pain during radiation therapy.
Esophagitis is characterized by inflammation that can damage tissues of the esophagus and cause discomfort. It is a common and temporary side effect experienced by many lung cancer patients who receive radiation therapy.
The randomized, phase II trial enrolled 163 lung cancer patients at 13 cancer centers who were undergoing concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The patients were divided into three groups: One group received standard supportive care, another group received 10 mL of honey orally four times per day, and the third group received one lozenge containing 10 mL of dehydrated honey four times per day.
After four weeks of radiation therapy, the patients were asked to assess their pain during swallowing using a numerical pain rating scale, with zero meaning no pain and 10 indicating the worst possible pain. There was no significant difference in the levels of pain reported by patients within the three groups, the researchers found.
"The results from our study were somewhat unexpected since three previous trials had indicated that honey worked, and reducing esophagitis is important so that patients can continue eating their normal diet," Berk said in a statement.
