The Benefit of Supplemental Vitamin E to Reduce Radiation-Induced Oral Side Effects in Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Antioxidant use during oncology treatment is controversial. Inconsistent research indicates that antioxidant supplementation can be both beneficial and harmful. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the recently published literature to determine whether oral supplementation with the antioxidant vitamin E is beneficial for reducing common side effects of radiation therapy in adults diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Three studies demonstrated supplementation can be effective in reducing side effects without compromising locoregional control, disease-free survival, or overall survival. Larger studies are needed to determine the optimal dose and duration of supplementation and the effectiveness of vitamin E as monotherapy.