Maria Yuen-Yee Law PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ashley KC Cheng, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Annie SW Yung MSc, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elian WK Chan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Wai-Yip Lip, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vincent WC Wu PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Iris F. Benzie PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receiving radiotherapy (RT) would suffer from radiation-induced reactions such as radiation dermatitis, mucositis, which induce debilitating effects in eating and swallowing. This would directly impact on their quality of life. Anecdotes from some patients receiving radiotherapy reported having less severe radiation reactions after taking Lingzhi as a dietary supplement. The aims of the study were to determine the efficacy of Lingzhi in reducing the severity of radiation side effects and in improving the quality of life of patients who received radiation therapy for NPC.

Thirty patients with early-staged NPC (T1, T2, N0 & N1) planned for intensity-modulated radiation therapy for 7 weeks were recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention arm receiving Lingzhi (2 capsules of 0.35 g each time, twice a day; i.e. 1.4 g/d) or the control arm receiving a placebo. The radiation dermatitis and mucositis were monitored weekly  using the RTOG CTCAE (v3.0) grading system during the course of radiation therapy and at 4 weeks after completion of RT. The quality of life (QoL) of the patients were measured using the Chinese Functional Assessment of Canceer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT_H&N) questionnaire, taken at 4 points in time: before radiation treatment, at mid-course, at completion of radiation therapy and at 4 weeks thereafter. Blood samples of the patients were also taken at the 4 points to test the effect of RT on ascorbic acid.

For all patients, the QoL scores dropped during the course of RT and dropped to its maximum at course completion. The scores rose at 4 weeks post RT. However, the ascorbic acid levels dropped as the treatment progressed but did not rise 4 weeks post RT. No significant difference could be found between the Lingzhi and the control groups. Neither were significant differences found between the two groups in the extent of radiation dermatitis and mucositis.

For NPC patients receiving RT, Lingzhi does not help relieve the radiation mucositis or dermatitis. Nor does it help improve the quality life of patients. The effects of radiation on ascorbic acid remain to be studied.

Many dietary supplements claim to have benefits on cancer patients' health. This is the first clinical trial on lingzhi as supplementation for NPC patients receiving RT and it shows otherwise.

Law, M, Cheng, A, Yung, A, Chan, E, Lip, W, Wu, V, Benzie, I, The Efficacy of Lingzhi (Ganoderma Lucidum) on Radiation Side Effects and Quality of Life in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11014291.html