title: Evaluation of salivary function by sialoscintigraphy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer patients after intensity modulated radiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the salivary gland function changes by sialoscintigraphy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) after intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Salivary function was assessed by sialoscintigraphy. Quantitative sialoscintigraphy was performed in 24 NPC patients prior to and after IMRT. Results were categorized in four groups according to the duration of treatment. The sialoscintigraphy parameters were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sialoscintigraphy showed a significant difference in the secretion of each interval groups. The parameters of scintigraphy, except maximum accumulation (MA) of submandibular glands, decreased first after radiotherapy, and then recovered. However, the MA of submandibular glands was continuously downhill after radiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sialoscintigraphy parameters of each gland changed with the different radiation dose and follow-up intervals. The salivary function was influenced after radiotherapy in locally advanced NPC, especially, in the submandibular gland. Strategies to improve the salivary function should be assessed.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Y F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian; Department of Radiation Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*