Changes of parotid gland function due tosimultaneous radiochemotherapy

To investigate complication probability on parotid gland tissue due to simultaneous radiochemotherapy [RCHT] with cisplatin, 61 patients treated with radiotherapy [RT] and 36 patients treated with RCHT for head and neck cancer were prospectively evaluated. Stimulated salivary flow rates were measured before, at 4 weeks and 6 months after the treatment. Dose and volume distributions of the parotid glands were recorded. The dose leading to a complication probability of 50% [TD50] was found to be 32.2Gy/4weeks and 32.1Gy/6months for RCHT and 41.1Gy/4weeks and 39.6Gy/6months for RT. The tolerated dose for RCHT was at least 7-8Gy lower than for RT alone at TD50. It seems that RCHT cause a higher probability of parotid gland tissue damage. Keywords: radiochemotherapy, salivary flow rate, parotid gland