• Rufus Scrimger, Aliyah Kanji, Matthew Parliament, Heather Warkentin, Colin Field, Naresh Jha, and John Hanson.
• Department of Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. rufusscr@cancerboard.ab.ca
• Am. J. Clin. Oncol. 2007 Jun 1; 30 (3): 271-7.

PurposeTo investigate the strength of correlation between measured saliva flow rates and various toxicity endpoints commonly used in head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment.Materials And MethodsAll patients enrolled in a phase II study using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for HNC treatment underwent whole mouth saliva flow measurements (stimulated and unstimulated). They were also assessed for salivary gland toxicity using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) late toxicity grading and 9 items representing patient-graded toxicities from 2 questionnaires (Xerostomia questionnaire and University of Washington quality of life). For each patient, saliva flow rates and quality of life (QOL) data were collected preradiotherapy (RT) and at 3 intervals post-RT (3, 6, and 12 months).ResultsA total of 188 sets of coregistered data were obtained for 47 patients over a period of approximately 4 years. Saliva production and mean QOL dropped significantly immediately after RT, but there was a statistically significant recovery in both parameters between 3- and 12-month post-RT. By 12 months, post-RT the mean QOL scores had returned to pre-RT baseline, although mean stimulated saliva production remained 58% below baseline.ConclusionPatients with HNC treated with IMRT experienced a small drop in QOL which recovered to baseline by 12 months post-RT. There was no statistically significant correlation seen between global health-related QOL scores and stimulated saliva production rates in the post-RT period.

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