title: Botulinum toxin for salivary disorders in the treatment of head and neck cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  During the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC), salivary problems may impair a patient's healing process. Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is accepted as an effective treatment option for reducing salivary flow. We aimed to describe the features of patients treated with BoNT to determine the effects of BoNT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients over a five-year period were retrospectively included. The patients suffered at different stages of oncologic treatment. The cohort primarily had larger primary tumors that required complex oncological treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The condition improved in more than three quarters of the 19 patients with functional hypersalivation. Four of six cases suffering from a salivary fistula demonstrated an obvious reduction in symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injection of BoNT, to temporarily reduce saliva flow, is a safe tool in the treatment of HNC even in situations involving repeated therapy or high dosage. The main clinical side-effect of BoNT is insufficient reduction of the salivary problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany armin.steffen@uksh.de.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hasselbacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heinrichs
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wollenberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D001905:Botulinum Toxins
keywords: Botulinum toxin; dysphagia; head neck cancer; hypersalivation; salivary fistula; salivary glands