Comparative study before and after the use of Episil ® oral liquid in patients with hematological malignancies

Abstract Background. Episil® is a non-absorbable liquid medical material used to cover and protect oral lesions, particularly those caused by mucositis associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While there are some scattered reports on its use in head and neck cancer, there have been few studies in other malignancies. Methods. In this study, 38 patients with hematologic malignancies treated for oral mucositis (OM) with Episil® at the Hiroshima Red Cross & Atomic-bomb Survivors Hospital were included; the degree of OM before and after use was examined. Of these 23 patients were interviewed about the effects of OM on pain, conversation, and eating, using our original evaluation protocol, and the results were compared. Results. The severity of mucositis decreased after the use of Episil® in eight patients (21%), particularly in those with mucositis at multiple sites. Patient evaluations showed significant pain relief and improvements in speech and feeding functions. Patients with Grade 3 mucositis had higher ratings for improvement in pain relief, speech, and eating functions than those with Grade 2. Conclusions. Episil® performed well in patients with hematologic malignancies and was particularly effective in multiple mucositis. In addition to pain relief, Episil has been suggested to improve speech and feeding functions effectively.