Radiation-induced xerostomia in cancer patients. Effect on salivary and serum electrolytes.
Saliva and serum electrolyte concentrations were monitored in 30 patients given a course of xerostomia-producing cancer radiotherapy. The mean flow rate of stimulated whole saliva decreased 83.3% during a 6-week treatment period. The striking reduction in saliva output was accompanied by significant increases in saliva Na+, Cl-, Ca++, Mg++ and Prot.- concentrations and by a decrease in saliva HCO3- content. The xerostomic saliva was more concentrated and had a greater salinity than the pretreatment saliva in each instance. In contrast, none of the serum electrolytes measured was significantly altered by the subtotal salivary shutdown.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011830:Radiation Effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002712:Chlorides; D004573:Electrolytes; D010710:Phosphates; D011506:Proteins; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium