The relative change in saliva secretion in relation to the exposed area of the salivary glands after radiotherapy of head and neck region.

Sixty patients, 37 women and 23 men, were examined in a prospective study to demonstrate the relative change in saliva secretion after the patients had undergone radiotherapy in the head and neck region. By using VAS (Visual Analogue Scales) for the assessment, clinical intra-oral changes in the body tissue have, hopefully, not influenced the results. In this investigation, the post-radiological saliva secretion was put in relation to the preradiological secretion, as well as to the location of the tumour, irradiation dosage, extent of irradiated area and the pairs of big salivary glands. In the overwhelming number of these patients, the reduced saliva flow rate should be classified as hyposiali (0.1-1.0 ml/15 mins) and less frequently as xerostomi (0.0-0.9 ml/min). It is discussed in this paper whether it would be possible to protect, radio treatment permitting, for example the mandibular glands from irradiation in patients with maxillary tumours, by having odontology supply mouth fixtures, allowing for the maximum opening of the mouth during the irradiation part of the treatment. This would make it possible to move the mandible out of the irradiation area without interfering with radiotherapy. By cooperating with the oncology team in a trusting way, we could contribute with an improved life quality after therapy for patients with tumours in the head and neck region.