Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is a valid treatment option for head and neck cancer (HNC). The risk of RT-induced toxicities is significant, especially due to extended treatment fields. The raise in amylase activity is strictly dependent on the volume of salivary glands included in the irradiated target volume and it is firmly related to the dose. The aim of this review is to report the effects on salivary amylase activity after radiation exposure of salivary glands, in patients with HNC.
Highlights
Radiotherapy (RT) represents one of the classical options for managing head and neck cancer (HNC)
We focus on variations of serum salivary amylase after RT
Serum salivary amylase biochemical changes after irradiation in HNC patients are less commonly appreciated in clinical trials
Summary
Radiotherapy (RT) represents one of the classical options for managing head and neck cancer (HNC). Radiation effects on salivary glands are of particular interest in clinical practice. Salivary glands, especially parotid glands, show a high sensitivity to ionizing radiations, they have a very low proliferative activity [1]. The increase in serum salivary amylase secondary to salivary glands irradiation is of considerable radiobiological and radiotherapeutic significance. This phenomenon has been mainly ascribed to the disruption of serous cells and changes in their cell membrane permeability resulting in intracellular amylase release. Ionizing radiations cause loss of acinar architecture, inflammatory cell infiltration and disruption or vacuolation of serous cells [2]
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