title: [Research advances in prevention of radiation induced xerostomia by intensity-modulated radiation therapy].
abstract: Reducing postradiation xerostomia by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in head and neck cancer is updated here. Several studies have shown the superiority of IMRT over the conventional technique with respect to a reduction in severe xerostomia rate and an improvement in saliva flow without compromising tumor control. The degree of xerostomia and degression of saliva flow rate depends on the radiation dose and the salivary gland volume irradiated. The new approach of target delineation, exact threshold of radiation dose for parotid gland function, subjective and objective standard for xerostomia evaluation are also commented. Sparing the major (parotid and submandibular glands) and minor salivary glands at the same time during IMRT maybe more effective in prevention of postradiation xerostomia. Supported by Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project(Grant No.Y0203).
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital,College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Zhong-He
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D012463:Saliva; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000503:physiopathology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*