UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective:: Radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment in the management of head and neck cancers. Exposure of the head and neck to radiation invariably involve salivary glands during its transit to the tumor resulting in the development of hyposalivation and dry mouth (xerostomia). Xerostomia leads to secondary bacterial infection, difficulty in swallowing, speech and thereby low quality of life.

Methods:This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of salivary changes in the head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The patients were assessed using GC Saliva Diagnostic kitsā to estimate the hydration, viscosity, pH of the resting saliva, quantity and buffering capacity of the stimulated saliva. The patients were examined and assessed before, during and after radiotherapy with subsequent follow up.

Results:So far 67 patients have completed assessment of saliva for 3 times. There were 48 men and 19 women with a mean age of 48 years distributed as 73% Malays and 27% Chinese race. The primary site of affection were nasopharyngeal cancers, paranasal sinuses and other tumors of the head and neck region. The development of xerostomia was progressive towards the end of radiotherapy. The severe form of dehydration, hyperviscosity, pH, quantity, buffering capacity was 79%, 77%, 72%, 89% and 83% respectively.

Conclusions: The development of radiation induced xerostomia is a common morbidity in the radiotherapeutic treatment of head and neck cancers. Early detection and corrective measure in time can prevent the long-term after-effects of the radiation, thereby improve the quality of life.