The prevention and treatment of radiotherapy - induced xerostomia.
Efforts to reduce the severity of postradiotherapy xerostomia include the use of salivary substitutes to gain symptomatic relief, salivary gland stimulants, agents delivered to protect the glands during radiotherapy (RT), and physical means to partially spare the major salivary glands from RT while adequately irradiating tumor targets. These means include advanced RT treatment planning and salivary tissue transfer to nonirradiated areas. The relative potential gain from each of these strategies is discussed in this article. The combination of partial salivary gland sparing and radiation protectors/stimulants may provide additive or synergistic gains in reducing the severity of xerostomia.
Eisbruch
Avraham
A
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. eisbruch@umich.edu
Rhodus
Nelson
N
Rosenthal
David
D
Murphy
Barbara
B
Rasch
Coen
C
Sonis
Stephen
S
Scarantino
Charles
C
Brizel
David
D
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*