Dysphagia and xerostomia are the main sequelae of chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers, such as nasopharyngeal cancers, and these are the main factors that can reduce a patient's quality of life.
Dry mouth is also called xerostomia. Xerostomia results because of damage to the salivary
glands, so the salivary glands do not make enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. As saliva is needed for chewing, swallowing, tasting and talking, these activities may be more difficult with a dry mouth. Although xerostomia often improves with time, it is long-lasting and a frequently permanent problem that adversely impacts one's quality of life.
The management of patients with established xerostomia includes multiple maneuvers to provide alternative wetting agents and maximize residual function of the salivary glands. Other ways to stimulate the salivary glands, such as sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugarless gum might help.
Dental visits are also important to help manage xerostomia and prevent dental problems. Rehabilitation strategies and therapy exercises may be done with the help of speech therapists to alleviate dysphagia. Depending on the site and severity of the dysphagia, feeding tubes may be required to prevent malnutrition and dehydration. Relieving side effects is an important part of cancer care and treatment.
Please talk to your doctor about any symptoms, so that better supportive care can be provided to manage them.
