Salivary Gland Hypofunction and/or Xerostomia Induced by Nonsurgical Cancer Therapies: ISOO/MASCC/ASCO Guideline

Journal of Clinical Oncology

Mercadante, V., Jensen, S. B., et al. (2021).

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 39(25), 2825-2843.

This clinical practice guideline provides recommendations for the prevention and management of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia secondary to non-surgical cancer treatments (e.g., stem cell therapy, chemotherapy, radiation). Only treatments within SLP scope of practice are included within this article review.

International Society of Oral Oncology; Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer; American Society of Clinical Oncology

The systematic review conducted within this guideline is an update of two previous reviews:<br /> <ul> <li>Jensen, S.B., Pedersen, A.M., Vissink, A., Andersen, E., Brown, C.G., Davies, A.N., Dutilh, J., Fulton, J.S., Jankovic, L., Lopes, N.N., Mello, A.L., Muniz, L.V., Murdoch-Kinch, C.A., Nair, R.G., Nape&ntilde;as, J.J., Nogueira-Rodrigues, A., Saunders, D., Stirling, B., von B&uuml;ltzingsl&ouml;wen, I., Weikel, D.S., Elting, L.S., Spijkervet, F.K., Brennan, M.T.; Salivary Gland Hypofunction/Xerostomia Section, Oral Care Study Group, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)/International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO). (2010). A systematic review of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia induced by cancer therapies: Prevalence, severity and impact on quality of life. <em>Support Care Cancer</em>, 18(8),1039-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0827-8.</li> <li>Jensen, S.B., Pedersen, A.M., Vissink, A., Andersen, E., Brown, C.G., Davies, A.N., Dutilh, J., Fulton, J.S., Jankovic, L., Lopes, N.N., Mello, A.L., Muniz, L.V., Murdoch-Kinch, C.A., Nair, R.G., Nape&ntilde;as, J.J., Nogueira-Rodrigues, A., Saunders, D., Stirling, B., von B&uuml;ltzingsl&ouml;wen, I., Weikel, D.S., Elting, L.S., Spijkervet, F.K., Brennan, M.T.; Salivary Gland Hypofunction/Xerostomia Section, Oral Care Study Group, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)/International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO). (2010). A systematic review of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia induced by cancer therapies: Management strategies and economic impact. <em>Support Care Cancer</em>, 18(8), 1061-79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0837-6.</li> </ul>

"Transcutaneous electrostimulation or acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrostimulation of the salivary glands may be offered after radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer for improvement of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia" (p. 2833; Low Quality of Evidence, Weak Strength of Recommendation)

Evidence remains insufficient for a recommendation for or against the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to reduce the risk of salivary gland hypofunction or xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer (Insufficient Quality of Evidence).