Clinical management of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia in head-and-neck cancer patients: Successes and barriers

Arjan Vissink, James B. Mitchell, Bruce J. Baum, Kirsten H. Limesand, Siri Beier Jensen, Philip C. Fox, Linda S. Elting, Johannes A. Langendijk, Robert P. Coppes, Mary E. Reyland

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

272 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)983-991
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
Volume78
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 4 2010

Keywords

  • Gene transfer
  • Hyposalivation
  • Palliative care
  • Prevention
  • Radiotherapy
  • Stem cell therapy
  • Xerostomia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiation
  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cancer Research

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