A novel method to evaluate salivary flow rates of head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy: a pilot study

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Mar-Apr;84(2):227-231. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.03.004. Epub 2017 Mar 25.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: The procedure used to evaluate salivary flow rate is called sialometry. It can be performed through several techniques, but none appears to be really efficient for post-radiotherapy patients.

Objective: To adequate sialometry tests for head and neck cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy.

Methods: 22 xerostomic patients post-radiotherapy (total radiation dose ranging from 60 to 70Gy) were included in this study. Ten patients were evaluated using sialometries originally proposed by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and twelve were assessed by our modified methods. Unstimulated and stimulated sialometries were performed and the results were classified according a grading scale and compared between both groups.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the salivary evaluations of both groups (p=0.4487 and p=0.5615). Also, most of these rates were classified as very low and low.

Conclusion: This novel method seems to be suitable for patients submitted to radiotherapy.

Introdução: O procedimento utilizado para avaliar a taxa de fluxo salivar é denominado sialometria. Pode ser realizado por meio de várias técnicas, mas nenhuma parece ser realmente eficiente para pacientes pós-radioterapia.

Objetivo: Adaptar sialometrias para pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos à radioterapia.

Método: 22 pacientes xerostômicos pós-radioterapia (dose de radiação total variando de 60-70 Gy) foram incluídos neste estudo. Dez pacientes foram avaliados utilizando sialometrias originalmente propostas pelo Radiation Therapy Oncology Group e doze foram avaliados por nossos métodos modificados. Sialometrias não estimuladas e estimuladas foram conduzidas e os resultados foram classificados de acordo com uma escala de graduação e comparados entre os dois grupos.

Resultados: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as avaliações salivares de ambos os grupos (p = 0,4487 e p = 0,5615). Além disso, a maioria dessas taxas foi classificada como muito baixa e baixa.

Conclusão: Esse novo método parece ser adequado para pacientes submetidos à radioterapia.

Keywords: Head and neck neoplasms; Neoplasias de cabeça e pescoço; Radioterapia; Radiotherapy; Saliva; Xerostomia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / complications
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parotid Gland
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiation Injuries
  • Saliva / metabolism*
  • Salivation / radiation effects
  • Xerostomia / etiology*