Ipsilateral parotid sparing study in head and neck cancer patients who receive radiation therapy: results after 1 year

Abstract

Objective: To determine if three-dimensional treatment planning and conformational dose delivery could minimize radiation dose and salivary gland dysfunction to contralateral parotid glands in patients with unilateral head and neck cancers.

Study design: Fifteen patients with unilateral head and neck cancers were treated with three-dimensional treatment planning. Unstimulated and stimulated bilateral parotid saliva was collected before radiotherapy, weekly during treatment, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the completion of radiotherapy.

Results: Treated parotid glands received an average dose of 4949 cGy, whereas spared glands received only 355 cGy. Unstimulated and stimulated parotid flow rates decreased dramatically in treated glands after the initiation of radiotherapy and were significantly lower at 1 year after radiotherapy compared with baseline. Conversely, parotid flow rates in spared glands underwent mild changes during radiotherapy and were similar at 1 year after radiotherapy compared with baseline.

Conclusion: Parotid gland function can be preserved for at least 1 year in patients with unilateral head and neck cancers with three-dimensional treatment planning.