Combination of submandibular salivary gland transfer and intensity-modulated radiotherapy to reduce dryness of mouth (xerostomia) in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Xerostomia is a debilitating side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Combining surgical submandibular-gland transfer (SMGT) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) may provide greater protection of salivary function.

Methods: This was a single-institution, prospective phase II feasibility trial. Patients with head and neck cancer or unknown primary with neck node metastases received primary surgery with SMGT and postoperative radiotherapy with tomotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions). Toxicity and quality of life (QOL) were assessed before surgery, before RT, and after RT.

Results: Forty patients received SMGT and IMRT. Only 1 patient experienced grade 3 salivary gland toxicity. At 12 months post-RT, the rate of absent or only mild xerostomia was 89%, and salivary flow rates were approximately 75% of pre-RT levels.

Conclusions: The combination of IMRT with SMGT is feasible and with improved dose constraints may maximally spare the parotid and submandibular glands, leading to decreased xerostomia and improved patient QOL.