Radiation‐induced xerostomia in cancer patients. Effect on salivary and serum electrolytes

Abstract

Saliva and serum electrolyte concentrations were monitored in 30 patients given a course of xerostomia‐producing cancer radiotherapy. The mean flow rate of stimulated whole saliva decreased 83.3% during a 6‐week treatment period. The striking reduction in saliva output was accompanied by significant increases in saliva Na+, Cl−, Ca++, Mg++ and Prot.− concentrations and by a decrease in saliva HCO 3− content. The xerostomic saliva was more concentrated and had a greater salinity than the pretreatment saliva in each instance. In contrast, none of the serum electrolytes measured was significantly altered by the subtotal salivary shutdown. Copyright © 1976 American Cancer Society