Evaluation of Radiation-induced Xerostomia in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas

• Main Authors: Parnian Alizadeh Oskoee (Author), Farshad Seyyednejhad (Author), Narmin Mohammadi (Author), Siavash Savadi Oskoee (Author), Niloofar Mofidi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 2007-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2008-210X; 2008-2118
• Keywords: Dentistry; RK1-715
• Source: Journal of Dental Research, Dental Clinics, Dental Prospects, Vol 1, Iss 2, Pp 65-70 (2007)

<p><strong>Background and aims.</strong> Salivary glands are extremely susceptible to radiation injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas, referring to Tabriz Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2005-2006. </p><p><strong>Materials and methods.</strong> Thirty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas, who received conventional radiotherapy, were included in the present study. The patients' unstimulated saliva samples were collected at three intervals, i.e. before treatment, 3 weeks after the initiation of treatment and at the end of treatment by spitting, and measured with a graduated pipette. </p><p><strong>Results.</strong> The differences in the mean values of the patients' salivary flow rates at three afore-mentioned intervals were statistically significant (p< 0.001). Two-by-two comparison of the mean values of salivary flow rates of all the patients and of males and females, carried out separately, demonstrated statistically significant differences (p< 0.0025). However, there were no statistically significant differences between males and females before treatment (p = 0.723), 3 weeks after the initiation of treatment (p = 0.724) and at the end of treatment (p = 0.595). There were no statistically significant relationships between age and a decrease in salivary flow rate in the total sample (p = 0.76, r = -0.057), in males (p = 0.96, r = 0.011) and in females (p = 0.539, r = -0.208). </p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Conventional radiotherapy results in severe xerostomia in 3 weeks in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Age and sex do not influence radiotherapy-induced xerostomia.</p>