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).

Exercise program design considerations for head and neck cancer survivors

“…Given the considerable benefits that head and neck cancer survivors can expect from exercise engagement [ 31 ], these findings emphasise the importance of providing advice on how to negate or manage disease-specific exercise barriers during standard clinical care. Dry mouth/throat was the most common barrier to exercise expressed by participants in the present study and caregivers should be particularly mindful of the management of these [ 32 ], as well as providing advice regarding avoidance of exercise in cold air to prevent exacerbating symptoms [ 33 ].…”

Salivary and Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction After Remnant Ablation with Radioactive Iodine in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Prepared with Recombinant Human Thyrotropin

“…In patients who had persistent signs or symptoms (still present 18 months after ablation), specific tests were performed to confirm glandular dysfunction and to rule out other causes (9,10). These tests to confirm glandular dysfunction were only performed when symptoms were present considering that (i) there are no recommendations to perform these tests on asymptomatic patients, (ii) quality of life is impaired in the presence of symptoms, and (iii) treatment is recommended in symptomatic cases (5,9,11). Lacrimal dysfunction was confirmed by the Schirmer test (wetting of 5 mm or less, measured over 5 minutes under basal conditions with the eyes lightly closed) and the Rose Bengal score ( ‡ 4 according to van Bijsterveld's scoring system) (9,10).…”

Munntørrhet hos alvorlig syke og døende

“…Den vanligste årsaken til munntørrhet er bieffekter av behandling og legemidler som påvirker spy refleksen på ulike steder i sentralnervesystemet og/eller på reseptornivå i spy kjertlene (16). Blant kreftpasienter er rundt 80 % plaget av munntørrhet (17)(18)(19). Mer enn 150 virkestoff påvirker spy kjertelfunksjonen (20).…”