Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy Less Likely to Produce Dry Mouth
11/2/2006 Memphis, TN staff CancerConsultants.com According to the results of two studies published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, treatment of head and neck cancer with intensity-modulated radiation therapy is less likely to result in dry mouth (xerostomia) than treatment with conventional radiation therapy. Head and neck cancers originate in the throat, larynx (voice box), pharynx, salivary glands, or oral cavity (lip, mouth, tongue). Most head and neck cancers involve squamous cells, which are cells that line the mouth, throat, or other structures. Standard treatment for head and neck cancer is largely determined by the stage (extent to which the cancer has spread) and by the specific locations within the head or neck area where the cancer has spread. For head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy, xerostomia is a potential side effect of treatment. Xerostomia refers to a condition of an abnormally dry mouth. Patients with severe xerostomia have very limited or virtually no saliva production. This results in difficulty eating, speaking, and swallowing. These symptoms make xerostomia extremely uncomfortable, and patients who suffer from the condition have a drastically reduced quality of life. Xerostomia can last long after treatment is completed. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a newer approach to radiation therapy that allows for the more precise delivery of radiation to cancer cells, while sparing healthy surrounding tissue. Two studies recently evaluated parotid gland function among head and neck cancer patients treated with IMRT or conventional radiation therapy. The parotid glands [...]