Protective effect of intensity-modulated radiation therapy on salivary gland function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
10.3969/j.issn.1000-8179.20140991
- VernacularTitle:鼻咽癌适形调强放疗中涎腺功能的全面保护
- Author:
Wanqin CHENG
;
Siming ZHENG
;
Yong SU
;
Zheng WU
;
Shu ZHOU
;
Jiang HU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
nasopharyngeal carcinoma;
intensity modulated radiotherapy;
salivary gland;
oral cavity;
xerostomia
- From:
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology
2014;(21):1389-1393
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the protective effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on salivary gland function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Methods:In total, 101 NPC patients who were admitted from March 2010 to November 2012 were enrolled in this study. The parotid gland, the submandibular gland, and the oral cavity were sketched as the organs at risk (OARs). The patients were treated with IMRT and were evaluated through a face-to-face interview using a dry mouth assessment ques-tionnaire during the follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The dose volume histogram of the salivary gland of the patients was also considered. Results:The mean doses (MDs) in the parotid gland were 37.4 and 33.8 Gy in the affected and uninjured sides, respec-tively. Meanwhile, the MDs in the submandibular glands were 51.6 and 45.7 Gy in the affected and uninjured sides, respectively. The MD of the oral cavity was 38.2 Gy. At 6 months after the treatment, the symptom of xerostomia was significantly improved in 77.2%of the patients (78/101). One year later, only less than 5%of the patients complained of having G3 or higher-grade xerostomia. Conclu-sion:With time, xerostomia significantly improved after the radiotherapy. At least one of the V30 to V35 of the parotid gland was≤50.0%, whereas at least one of the V40 to V45 of the submandibular glands was≤66.7%~50.0%. The MD for the oral cavity should be<40 Gy to effectively protect salivary gland function.
