Patient selection: patient with head and neck cancer treated and the salivary glands included within the radiation fields
Effects on salivary glands:
(1) decreased volume (typically <= 25% of flow previous to radiation therapy)
(2) altered consistency
(3) change in pH
Clinical findings:
(1) dry mouth with oral discomfort
(2) difficulty speaking or altered speech
(3) difficulty and/or painful chewing, especially with dry or hard food
(4) difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) with food getting stuck in the throat
(5) increase in dental caries and/or difficulty with dentures
(6) increase in oral infections
(7) decrease, change or loss of taste
(8) decreased oral intake which may be associated with weight loss and/or malnutrition
The patient increases fluid intake both to keep the mouth moist and to aid eating.
The effects may be amplified if the person has other complications such as oral mucositis.
