Submandibular salivary gland transfer for the prevention of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: 5-Year outcomes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Our aim in this study was to investigate the value of the submandibular salivary gland transfer procedure in prevention of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS:

In all, there were 70 patients, consisting of a test group (36 patients) and a control group (34 patients) in a nonrandomized fashion. In the test group, the submandibular salivary gland was transferred to submental space before radiotherapy (XRT) and shielded. Salivary gland functions were evaluated by the amount of saliva and a quality of life questionnaire before and after XRT and 3 and 60 months after XRT.

RESULTS:

At 5 years, the trapping and excretion functions of salivary gland were significantly better in the test group (p = .000 and p = .000). The mean weight of saliva after XRT was heavier (1.65 g vs 0.73 g, p = .000), and the incidence of xerostomia was lower in the test group, with no difference in 5-year survival and neck nodal recurrence between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Salivary gland transfer procedure prevents XRT-induced xerostomia and improves quality of life of patients with NPC.

• Authors: Xue-Kui Liu, Yong Su, Naresh Jha, Ming-Huan Hong, Hai-Qiang Mai, Wei Fan, Zong-Yuan Zeng, Zhu-Ming Guo
• Journal: Head & neck (Head Neck) Vol. 33 Issue 3 Pg. 389-95 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1097-0347 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20629074 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Carcinoma
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (mortality, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
• Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms (mortality, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prospective Studies
• Quality of Life
• Radiation Injuries (complications, prevention & control)
• Reference Values
• Risk Assessment
• Salivary Glands (metabolism)
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Submandibular Gland (transplantation)
• Survival Analysis
• Treatment Outcome
• Xerostomia (etiology, prevention & control)