title: Pathophysiology and management of radiation-induced xerostomia.
abstract: Radiotherapeutic treatment of head and neck cancer patients often causes long-term dysfunction involving their salivary function, swallowing capabilities, and taste. Salivary gland dysfunction from radiation therapy is often the most unpleasant side effect of treatment. This article will review current knowledge concerning the anatomy and function of glands involved with salivation, measurement of salivary gland function, surgical and pharmacologic prevention and treatment of xerostomia, and methods to administer radiation while causing the least amount of damage to salivary glands.
authors.affiliation: Newark Radiation Oncology, Newark, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Lawrence B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Anand T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Shivnani
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018679:Cholinergic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000528:radiation effects; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012472:Salivation / Q000528:radiation effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D018679:Cholinergic Agonists; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D004999:Amifostine