[Treatment of radiostomatitis with Salcoat]

Most malignancies occurring in the oral cavity are squamous carcinoma for which radiotherapy as a treatment is the first choice. However, radiostomatitis, which occurs as a concomitant symptom due to radiation, largely disturbs the effect of radiotherapy. Antibiotics or a gargle are used to treat this concomitant symptom, but these preparations are not satisfactorily effective especially in cases in which the symptoms are severe and/or wide spread. Salcoat, a spray-type preparation of Beclomethasone dipropionate that is used to treat stomatitis, has excellent features which compensate for the disadvantage of the previously mentioned therapy. This preparation can be administered in a non-contact manner, and it contains hydroxypropyl cellulose which assures good adhesion to the mucosa, thus covering and protecting the affected area for a long time. In our clinical trials, this preparation was found to be highly useful in relieving pain and dysgeusia due to radiostomatitis, there by maintaining the quality of life.