Clinical management of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia in head-and-neck cancer patients: successes and barriers.
The most significant long-term complication of radiotherapy in the head-and-neck region is hyposalivation and its related complaints, particularily xerostomia. This review addresses the pathophysiology underlying irradiation damage to salivary gland tissue, the consequences of radiation injury, and issues contributing to the clinical management of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia. These include ways to (1) prevent or minimize radiation injury of salivary gland tissue, (2) manage radiation-induced hyposalivation and xerostomia, and (3) restore the function of salivary gland tissue damaged by radiotherapy.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Grongingen, The Netherlands.
Arjan
A
Vissink
James B
JB
Mitchell
Bruce J
BJ
Baum
Kirsten H
KH
Limesand
Siri Beier
SB
Jensen
Philip C
PC
Fox
Linda S
LS
Elting
Johannes A
JA
Langendijk
Robert P
RP
Coppes
Mary E
ME
Reyland
D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000528:radiation effects*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*
D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D012464:Saliva, Artificial