ABSTRACT
Therapies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particularly irradiation and chemotherapy (C/RT), can affect salivary glands to some extent. Recent studies suggest that point shear wave elastography (pSWE) is well suited for the diagnosis and rating of homogenous damage to parenchymatous organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of this sonographic modality as a tool for the evaluation both of salivary gland affection after HNSCC therapy and the effect of a salivary replacement therapy based on liposomes. A total of 69 HNSCC patients were included in this study. All patients had finished cancer treatment and attended regular follow-up. pSWE values of ipsi- and contralateral parotid (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG) were obtained in a standardized manner and compared to those of a healthy control (HC) group. After a two months treatment with a liposomal saliva replacement therapy pSWE quantification was performed again. Ipsi- and contralateral salivary glands suffer under standard HNSCC tumor therapy. Here, the ipsilateral parotid gland (PG) is primarily affected. Therefore, a sequence of manifestation (surgery < surgery plus adjuvant C/RT < primary C/RT) is comprehensible, evaluated by pSWE measurements. The examination of all glands and statistical analysis of the values compared to controls resulted in an pSWE cutoff value for affected glandular tissue of >2 m/s. Using a liposomal saliva replacement therapy, pSWE values of the ipsilateral PG can be improved, although the level of HC could not be restored.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Smell and taste disorders, sicca symptoms, can be detected in patients with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of local liposomal application in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancers. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with head and neck cancer were included in this study. The groups were defined as: group 1 = only surgery; group 2 = surgery + adjuvant radiochemotherapy; and group 3 = primarily radiochemotherapy. All patients had finished cancer treatment and received liposomal sprays for the nose and mouth for 2 months (LipoNasal, LipoSaliva; Optima Pharmaceutical GmbH, Germany) and suffered from taste and smell disorders. We performed tests with "Sniffin' Sticks," "Taste Strips," and a xerostomia questionnaire before and after treatment. RESULTS: After application of liposomes, patients demonstrated a statistically significant increase in smell and taste, and reduced xerostomia. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that using nonpharmaceutical liposomal sprays improve smell, taste, and symptoms of xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1232-E1237, 2016.
