Changes in the Submandibular Gland in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer After Radiation Therapy: A Preliminary Study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the impairment of the submandibular gland, in terms of changes in volume by computed tomography (CT) and CT value, which was the mean pixel value at a region of interest, in a group of patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy (RT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients treated with RT, where the effective radiation dose to the submandibular gland was known, were included in the study. CT scanning was performed both before and after RT. The average follow-up period after RT was 555 days (range=107-1231 days).

RESULTS: The mean volume of the submandibular gland decreased by around 38% (p<0.001) compared to the pre-treatment average until 600 days after RT. The mean CT value of the submandibular gland decreased until 200 days after RT (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Both volume and CT value of the submandibular gland showed signs of impairment of the gland during the first several months after RT for head and neck cancer.