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[Acute tolerance in hyperfractionated accelerated whole-body irradiation]
D Latz1, P Schraube, M Wannenmacher
1Radiologische Universitätsklinik, Abteilung Klinische Radiologie, Heidelberg.
Summary
Ondansetron significantly reduced nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing total body irradiation. This finding supports its use in managing acute side effects during cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Acute side effects of total body irradiation (TBI) significantly impact patient well-being.
- Hyperfractionated accelerated TBI protocols require strategies to mitigate treatment-related toxicities.
- Investigating antiemetic efficacy during TBI is crucial for supportive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency of acute side effects in patients receiving hyperfractionated accelerated TBI.
- To compare these side effect frequencies with published literature data.
- To evaluate the specific influence of ondansetron on nausea and vomiting during TBI.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving 76 patients undergoing TBI prior to autologous bone marrow transplantation.
- Patients received a total dose of 14.40 Gy TBI in 3 daily fractions of 1.20 Gy.
- Thirty-nine patients were administered ondansetron (3 x 8 mg daily) during the irradiation course.
Main Results:
- Nausea and vomiting were the most prominent acute side effects observed.
- The incidence of nausea and vomiting was 73% in patients not receiving ondansetron (n=37).
- Ondansetron administration reduced the nausea and vomiting rate to 38% (n=39), also decreasing severity.
Conclusions:
- Ondansetron demonstrated significant efficacy in alleviating nausea and vomiting associated with TBI.
- The study's findings align with existing literature on ondansetron's antiemetic properties in radiation therapy.
- Ondansetron is an effective supportive medication for managing acute gastrointestinal side effects during TBI.