Positive Health Online

Abstract

KASSEROLLER, Wittlingers Therapy Center, Walchsee, Austria conducted a randomised, double-blind study to determine the efficacy of sodium selenite in combination with physical therapy to relieve congestion in cancer patients with secondary lymphoedema .

Background

Methodology

In this study were 60 cancer patients with secondary lymphoedema, with particular reference to the development of the incidence of erysipelas (acute, streptococcal inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, infection accompanied by fever and constitutional disturbances). All the patients in this study had erysipelas infection of the skin. Selenium was administered in pharmacological doses. Physical therapy was for 3 weeks and patients were observed for a further 3 months.

Results

The incidence of erysipelas among the patients was 11% During the 3-week period of intensive treatment, there was not a single case of erysipelas in the treatment, compared to a single case in the placebo group. During the follow-up period of 3 months, there was not a single case of erysipelas in the treatment group, compared to 50% of the patients in the placebo group. Despite the higher doses, the selenium level did not rise above normal values. Patients under long-term antibiotic therapy suffered no relapse when the antibiotic therapy was stopped and instead, selenium was administered. Additionally, it was shown that administrations of a single high-dose of sodium selenite could immediately bring the inflammation under control .

Conclusion

References

Kasseroller R Sodium selenite as prophylaxis against erysipelas in secondary lymphedema. Anticancer Res 18(3C): 2227-30 May-Jun 1998.

Comment

This is an important result. The administration of a single high-dose of sodium selenite could immediately bring the erysipelas infection under control, and that patients didnt suffer relapses when sodium selenite was substituted for antibiotics.