Boukheris et al studied patients treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma who developed a salivary gland carcinoma secondary to radiation therapy. The identified risk factors which can select patients who should be monitored for this complication. The authors are from the National Cancer Institute, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oklahoma City, and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Patient selection: patient with a history of Hodgkin's disease treated with radiation fields that include the salivary glands
Salivary glands affected:
(1) parotid
(2) submandibular
(3) sublingual
Salivary gland carcinomas were primarily:
(1) mucoepidermoid carcinoma
(2) adenocarcinoma
Risk factors for a salivary gland carcinoma:
(1) age at treatment < 20 years
(2) first 20 years after therapy
(3) higher radiation dose delivered to the salivary glands (full mantle and neck only techniques delivered high doses to the salivary glands)
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
