Clinical Management of Salivary Gland Hypofunction and Xerostomia in Head-and-neck Cancer Patients: Successes and Barriers

Overview

Journal Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys

Specialties Oncology
Radiology

Date 2010 Oct 26

PMID 20970030

Citations 138

Authors

Arjan Vissink

James B Mitchell

Bruce J Baum

Kirsten H Limesand

Siri Beier Jensen

Philip C Fox

Linda S Elting

Johannes A Langendijk

Robert P Coppes

Mary E Reyland

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The most significant long-term complication of radiotherapy in the head-and-neck region is hyposalivation and its related complaints, particularily xerostomia. This review addresses the pathophysiology underlying irradiation damage to salivary gland tissue, the consequences of radiation injury, and issues contributing to the clinical management of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia. These include ways to (1) prevent or minimize radiation injury of salivary gland tissue, (2) manage radiation-induced hyposalivation and xerostomia, and (3) restore the function of salivary gland tissue damaged by radiotherapy.

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