Lin, L. C., Que, J., Lin, L. K., & Lin, F. C. (2006). Zinc supplementation to improve mucositis and dermatitis in patients after radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancers: a double-blind, randomized study. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 65, 745–750.
To determine whether zinc supplementation can accelerate the healing of mucositis and dermatitis after radiation therapy (RT).
There were two randomized groups: the experimental (group A) received 25 mg of zinc three times per day and the control (group B) received the placebo (n = 48).
The principle researcher was blinded. Evaluation and grading of mucositis and dermatitis was performed weekly during treatment andtwo weeks after completion of RT, including the weekends.
Chi-Mei Foundation Medical Center Tainan, Taiwan, China
The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scores for dermatitis
Oral zinc supplementation may delay the onset and reduce the severity of radiodermatitis.
The treatment design for the timing of the study was standard practice; it is not certain if one could correlate the study information to modern treatment delivery.