Salivary gland dysfunction ('dry mouth') in patients with cancer: a consensus statement

Abstract

A group of interested professionals was convened to develop some evidence-based recommendations on the management of salivary gland dysfunction (SGD) in oncology patients. A Medline search was performed to identify the literature on SGD. The abstracts of all identified papers were read, and the full texts of all relevant papers were reviewed. The evidence was graded according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network grading system for recommendations in evidence-based guidelines. The summary of the main recommendations are: (1) patients with cancer should be regularly assessed for SGD (grade of recommendation - D); (2) the management of SGD should be individualised (D); (3) consideration should be given to strategies to prevent the development of radiation-induced SGD (C); (4) consideration should be given to treatment of the cause(s) of the SGD (C); (5) the treatment of choice for the symptomatic management of SGD is use of an appropriate saliva stimulant (C); (6) consideration should be given to prevention of the complications of the SGD (D); (7) consideration should be given to treatment of the complications of the SGD (D); and (8) patients with SGD should be regularly reassessed (D).