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The influence of xerostomia after radiotherapy on quality of life

Results of a questionnaire in head and neck cancer

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Abstract

Introduction

Xerostomia is a common complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer because irreparable damage is caused to the salivary glands if they are included in the radiation fields. The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of xerostomia in survivors of head and neck cancer and to determine its impact on quality of life.

Methods and materials

A xerostomia questionnaire consisting of three parts (xerostomia score, quality of life survey, and visual analogue scale) was completed by 75 head and neck cancer patients, more than 6 months after radiotherapy and without evidence of disease.

Results

The majority of patients (93%) suffered from a dry mouth, and 65% had moderate to severe xerostomia (grade 2 to 3). Both dysphagia (65%) and taste loss (63%) were common, although oral pain was less frequent (33%). The emotional impact of xerostomia was significant, causing worry (64%), tension (61%), or feelings of depression (44%). Furthermore, patients reported problems with talking to (60%) or eating with (54%) other people and to feel restricted in amount and type of food (65%). Quality of life was influenced by T classification, clinical stage, a higher radiation dose or the use of concomitant chemotherapy, but was independent of the interval since the end of radiotherapy.

Conclusions

Xerostomia after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer is extremely common and significantly affects quality of life. No recuperation is seen over time, and the use of concomitant chemotherapy significantly increases the oral complications of radiation. These results warrant the continuing efforts put into the development of salivary gland-sparing radiotherapy techniques and effective treatments of radiation-induced xerostomia.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by grants from the Vlaamse Liga tegen Kanker (VLK) and the Klinisch Onderzoeksfonds (KOF).

Conflict of interest

All authors have read and approved the manuscript; we have no conflicts of interest to declare or financial support from industry sources to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI), University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Piet Dirix, Sandra Nuyts & Walter Van den Bogaert

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI), University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium

    Vincent Vander Poorten & Pierre Delaere

Authors
  1. Piet Dirix
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  2. Sandra Nuyts
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  3. Vincent Vander Poorten
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  4. Pierre Delaere
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  5. Walter Van den Bogaert
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Piet Dirix.

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Dirix, P., Nuyts, S., Vander Poorten, V. et al. The influence of xerostomia after radiotherapy on quality of life. Support Care Cancer 16, 171–179 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0300-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0300-5

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