Tratamento de xerostomia e hipossalivação no paciente submetido à radioterapia de cabeça e pescoço: revisão da Literatura

Abstract

Introduction: Radiotherapy (RT) is widely used without treatment of head and neck malignancies, contributes to improved patient survival, but it is associated with adverse reactions that may affect a cancer patient's quality of life. Among the complications of RT there is a xerostomia and hyposalivation that are difficult to handle and as there is no unanimity regarding a treatment protocol. Objectives: This study aims to review the literature on treatments used for xerostomia and hyposalivation in patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy. Materials and methods: The study consisted of a literature search with MEDLINE (PubMed) databases, LILACS (EMBASE), using the following keys: Dry mouth treatment, Radiotherapy, Xerostomia, Hypossalivation, Saliva, for the period 2012 to 2017. Only randomized clinical trials were included. Results: Ten (10) randomized clinical trials involving 460 patients complemented criteria. Among the selected studies, four therapeutic modalities were identified: SNA stimulants (pilocarpine, acupuncture, bromhexine) herbal medicines (Malva sylvertris and Alcea digested, rice oil); LTBI and IMTR. All as therapeutic modalities showed effectiveness in the reduction of xerostomia, except rice oil in the phytotherapic modality. Conclusion: Considering the literature consulted in the present review, we can conclude that there is evidence that Autonomic Nervous System (CNA) stimulants such as pilocarpine and acupuncture (ALTENS) are efficient without treatment. And that autotransplantation techniques of salivary glands presented promising results.