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Cranberry in radiotherapy: dispelling the myths. A review of the literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2013

Lynne Gordon
Lynne Gordon*
Affiliation:
Division of Radiotherapy, School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
*
Correspondence to: Lynne Gordon, Division of Radiotherapy, School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB, UK. Tel: 01707 285088. Fax: 01707284977. E-mail: l.gordon@herts.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background

Therapeutic radiographers routinely offer advice to patients regarding treatment-related side effects. Cranberry has long been used as a natural remedy for several health complaints and has more recently been suggested as having a role in the treatment and prophylaxis of urinary tract infection (UTI) and symptoms.

Purpose

The aim of this review was to investigate whether there is a place for cranberry as part of the management of radiation cystitis caused by radiotherapy treatment of pelvic cancers, in order to aid therapeutic radiographers in tailoring their advice regarding pelvic side effects.

Materials and methods

A structured search was carried out using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases. A total of 25 articles were selected for review.

Results

Themes of mechanism of action of cranberry, composition of cranberry products, cranberry and UTI, use of cranberry in radiotherapy and further issues to consider were identified and explored.

Conclusion

A lack of high-quality data was identified in the literature reviewed and no firm evidence was found to support the continued recommendation of cranberry as part of management of radiation induced urinary tract side effects. Well-designed randomised controlled trials are required before further recommendations regarding the use of cranberry in radiotherapy are made.

Keywords

Cranberryradiation cystitisradiotherapyurinary tract infection
Type
Literature Review
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 2014 , pp. 98 - 105
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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