title: Head and neck cancer: managing xerostomia and other treatment induced side effects.
abstract: Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer face a myriad of treatment options. Each treatment is accompanied by acute and chronic side effects. Xerostomia is a side effect of radiation therapy and, if not managed properly, can disrupt the patient's quality of life and lead to other health related issues. This article provides a broad overview of head and neck cancer and examines the current modalities utilized in the treatment and prevention of xerostomia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Tracy K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pavilonis
mesh_terms: D004999:Amifostine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D012868:Skin Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D004999:Amifostine