title: Can intensity-modulated radiotherapy preserve oral health-related quality of life of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the changes in salivary function and oral health-related quality of life for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 57 patients with early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma received IMRT. The parotid and whole saliva flow was measured, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire-C30, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire 35-item head-and-neck module, and Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaires were completed at baseline and 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after IMRT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parotid saliva flow recovered fully after 1 year and maintained. Whole saliva flow recovered partially to 40% of baseline. A general trend of deterioration in most quality of life scales was observed after IMRT, followed by gradual recovery. Persistent oral-related symptoms were found 2 years after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IMRT for early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma could only partially preserve the whole salivary function and oral health-related quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Oral Rehabilitation, The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Dentistry, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China. ehnpow@hku.hk
authors.forename: Edmond H N
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Pow
authors.forename: Dora L W
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Jonathan S T
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sham
authors.forename: Victor H F
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sherry C Y
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009909:Oral Health; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012472:Salivation / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors