A Prospective Randomized Pilot Study Using Ice Chips Versus Room Temperature Normal Saline Rinses Orally During Administration of Melphalan to Decrease the Severity and Duration of Oral Mucositis in Patients With Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant

OBJECTIVES:

• Compare the efficacy of administering ice chips vs room temperature normal saline oral rinse before, during, and after melphalan administration, in terms of reducing or eliminating grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis, in patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for multiple myeloma.
• Compare the number of days that IV narcotic therapy is required for oral mucositis pain in patients treated with these regimens.
• Compare the use of IV hydration and/or total parenteral nutrition after autologous PBSCT in patients treated with these regimens.
• Compare overall quality of life, in terms of ability to eat food and drink liquids, in patients treated with these regimens.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, pilot study. Patients are stratified according to age (less than 60 years vs 60 years and over). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

• Arm I: Patients receive oral ice chips 15 minutes before, during, and for 8 hours after melphalan infusion* on day -2.
• Arm II: Patients receive room temperature normal saline oral rinses over 30 seconds 15 minutes before, during, and for 8 hours after melphalan infusion* on day -2.

All patients undergo autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT)* on day 0.