Analysis of factors influencing the development of xerostomia during intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Factors influencing xerostomia during intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were assessed.

METHODS:

A 6-week study of 32 head and neck cancer (HNC) patients was performed. Subjects completed the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) and provided stimulated saliva (SS) at baseline, week 2 and at end of IMRT. Influence of SS flow rate (SSFR), calcium and mucin 5b (MUC5b) concentrations and radiation dose on xerostomia was determined.

RESULTS:

HNC subjects experienced mean SSFR decline of 36% by visit 2 (N = 27; P = .012) and 57% by visit 3 (N = 20; P = .0004). Concentrations of calcium and MUC5b increased, but not significantly during IMRT (P > .05). Xerostomia correlated most with decreasing salivary flow rate as determined by Spearman correlations (P < .04) and linear mixed models (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Although IMRT is sparing to the parotid glands, it has an early effect on SSFR and the constituents in saliva in a manner that is associated with the perception of xerostomia.

• Authors: Ken Randall, Jason Stevens, Juan Fernando Yepes, Marcus E Randall, Mahesh Kudrimoti, Jonathan Feddock, Jing Xi, Richard J Kryscio, Craig S Miller
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol) Vol. 115 Issue 6 Pg. 772-9 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 2212-4411 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23523462 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Mucin-5B
• Calcium

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Calcium (analysis)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Linear Models
• Middle Aged
• Mucin-5B (analysis)
• Radiotherapy (adverse effects, methods)
• Saliva (chemistry)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Xerostomia (diagnosis, etiology)