The efficiency of adjusted-da-chai-ling-tang in radiation-induced brain edema in patients with brain tumors

Abstract

Background: Brain edema induced by radiotherapy is a common complication in patients with brain tumors, for which medical treatment is the treatment of choice. Adjusted-Da-Chai-Ling-Tang, a Chinese herbal formulation, has been confirmed to be protective against the radiation-induced edema. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of adjusted-Da-Chai-Ling-Tang in radiation-induced brain edema in patients with brain tumors. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 patients with brain tumors treated with radiotherapy alone or combined with surgery were enrolled. These patients were divided into two groups: The experimental group with adjusted-Da-Chai-Ling-Tang and the control group with conventional medical treatment. Clinical data including symptoms and serologic results were collected pretreatment and on the 4 th , 7 th and 10 th day posttreatment. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed to investigate changes in brain edema. Results: Clinical symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting and fatigue significantly improved in the experimental group (P < 0.05). No difference in serological results was observed. Brain edema was significantly reduced in the experimental group in magnetic resonance imaging (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Adjusted-Da-Chai-Ling-Tang is effective in the treatment of radiation-induced brain edema in patients with brain tumors. No obvious side effects were observed.

Keywords

• Brain edema
• radiotherapy
• brain tumor
• adjusted-Da-Chai-Ling-Tang
• magnetic resonance images