PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:~I. To determine the ability of rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray to alleviate nasal vestibulitis in patients undergoing systemic, antineoplastic therapy when compared with isotonic nasal saline.~SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:~I. To assess toxicities related to rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray in this study situation.~OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.~ARM A: Patients instill rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray, 1 spray in each nostril twice daily (BID) on days 1-14 in the absence of unacceptable toxicity.~ARM B: Patients instill isotonic nasal saline, 1 spray in each nostril BID on days 1-14 in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. After 2 weeks, patients may instill rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray as in Arm A for an additional 2 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity.
This phase III trial compares rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray to isotonic nasal saline in improving symptoms of nasal vestibulitis in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Nasal (nose) symptoms (dryness, discomfort, bleeding, scabbing or sores) due to inflammation, termed nasal vestibulitis, is reported as a side effect of cancer-directed therapy. Rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray may work better than isotonic nasal saline in improving symptoms of nasal vestibulitis.