Radiation Induced Xerostomia in Patient Receiving Radical Radiation Therapy to the Face and Neck

Dryness of mouth, also known as, xerostomia is one of the major complications in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Multiple factors like radiation dose, fraction size, volume of irradiated tissue, fractionation schedule and type of ionising radiation attribute to xerostomia. It not only compromises the quality of life by impacting taste and voice quality but also has long term effects on oral health and nutritional status of the patient. Salivary gland sparing radiation planning, proper post radiation therapy care and with the advent of imaging biomarkers better prevention of radiation induced xerostomia is now possible.