Toward a more patient-specific model of post-radiotherapy saliva secretion for head and neck cancer patients

ABSTRACTBackground. Reduction of saliva secretion is a common side effect following radiotherapy (RT) for cancer of the head and neck region. The aim of this study is to predict the post-RT salivary function for individual patients prior to treatment and to recognise possible differences in individual radiosensitivity.Material and methods. A predictive model for post-RT salivary function was validated for 64 head and neck cancer patients. The input parameters for the model were salivary excretion fraction (sEF) measured by 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy, total stimulated salivary flow and mean absorbed dose for the major salivary glands. SEF values after RT relative to the baseline before RT (rEF) were compared among the patients using the distance ΔrEF between single gland rEF and the corresponding expected value at the dose response curve.Results. A significant correlation (R = 0.86, p = 0.018) was found between the modelled and the measured values of stimulated salivary flow six months after RT. The ...