The effect of a Chinese herb (Saireito) therapy for edema and inflamation in early radiation injury

During a course of radiotherapy, inflamation and edema in limbs and in the local skin, occures frequently due to acute radiation injury. Seventeen cases with radiation induced edema and relavant symptoms, are treated with four weeks of oral administration of Saireito, a Chinese herb of diuretic and antiinflamatory effects. Radiotherapies could be carried out without interruption. After four weeks, the edema decreased in 7 of 15 patients, circumference measure of swoolen limbs decreased than 2 cm in 3 of 11, local skin hardness relaxed in 3 of 9, local skin redness decreased in 2 of 11, disturbed limb mobility improved in 4 of 8. In all, at least one symptomatic improvement was obtained in relevant to the radiation induced edema in 11 of 17 patients (63%). No conspicuous side effect was recorded. (author)