Long-term effects of radiotherapy on taste and salivary function in man
The long-term effects of radiotherapy on taste and salivary function were studied in 13 patients treated by radiation 1-7 years previously for tumors of the head and neck. Taste function was studied quantitatively using a standard forced choice, three-stimulus-drop technique for the determination of detection and recognition thresholds and a forced-scaling technique for the determination of taste intensity reponsiveness. Parotid salivary function was quantitatively evaluated by determination of flow rate and protein secretion rate. Nine of the 13 patients studied (69%) had measurable taste loss; every patient who had radiotherapy including the parotid glands had measurable salivary dysfunction. Our results demonstrate that curative courses of radiotherapy for tumors of the head and neck may result in long-term changes in taste and salivary function. From the present study, the maximum tolerance doses resulting in a 50% complication rate 5 years after treatment (TD 50/5) are estimated to be 40-65 Gy for xerostomia and 50-65 Gy for taste loss. Therefore, in a standard treatment regimen for tumors of the head and neck, with curative intent, gustatory and salivary gland tissues frequently sustain maximum tolerance injury.
- Research Organization:
- Georgetown Univ. Medical Center, Washington, DC
- OSTI ID:
- 6705918
- Journal Information:
- Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 8:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SALIVARY GLANDS
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
TASTE BUDS
HEAD
MAN
NECK
NEOPLASMS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
GLANDS
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
SENSE ORGANS
THERAPY
VERTEBRATES
560121* - Radiation Effects on Cells- External Source- (-1987)
550603 - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)