Explorative study on mucosal and major salivary secretion rates, caries and plaque microflora in head and neck cancer patients

• Objective: To analyse mucosal and major salivary secretion rates, caries and plaque microflora in connection with treatment for cancer in the head and neck region. Methods: Thirty-three patients were included and the number of teeth, filled surfaces and caries lesions registered. The labial and buccal gland secretion and stimulated whole salivary secretion rates were determined. Supragingival plaque microflora was analysed using cultivation technique. Data were collected pretreatment, during treatment and 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-treatment. Results: Two years post-treatment, 36% had new caries lesions, which had been restored. The labial secretion was comparable with pretreatment, while the buccal secretion was lower (P < .001). The stimulated secretion rate was lower compared with pretreatment (P < .001) and was 0.7 mL/minute for 50%. Growth of lactobacilli increased during treatment (P < .001) and remained increased (P < .001), while growth of mutans streptococci was decreased (P < .01) 2 years post-treatment. Growth of Candida increased over time and was higher 2years post-treatment compared with pretreatment (P < .001) while growth of Prevotella was lower (P < .01). Conclusions: Two years post-treatment, the stimulated salivary secretion rate was substantially decreased, acid-tolerant lactobacilli and Candida increased, acid-sensitive microorganisms decreased, and the caries prevalence was low.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

head and neck cancer patients

hyposalivation

minor gland secretion

plaque microflora

radiation

radiation-induced hyposalivation

oral ecosystems

nasopharyngeal

carcinoma

sjogrens-syndrome

different origins

southern chinese

minor

gland

flow-rate

therapy

radiotherapy

Dentistry

Oral Surgery & Medicine

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)