ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S934

Clinical – Head & neck

ESTRO 2025

Conclusion: Submandibular gland sparing is safe and enhances post-radiation salivary function. After IMRT the function declines in both spared and unspared glands, with greater impairment in unspared glands. However, function shows moderate recovery over time, particularly in the spared group. Minimizing doses to both the parotid and submandibular glands should be prioritized to reduce xerostomia. Dynamic 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy is a reliable, minimally invasive method for evaluating major salivary gland function and serves as an alternative to traditional salivary flow-rate measurements. References: Lin A, Kim HM, Eisbruch A. Quality of life after parotid-sparing IMRT for head-and-neck cancer: a prospective longitudinal study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2003 Sep 1;57(1):61–70. Wang ZH, Yan C, Zhang ZY, Tu WY, et al. Impact of salivary gland dosimetry on post-IMRT recovery of saliva output and xerostomia grade for head-and-neck cancer patients treated with or without contralateral submandibular gland sparing: a longitudinal study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2011 Dec 1;81(5):1479–87 Roesink JM, Moerland MA. Scintigraphic assessment of early and late parotid gland function after radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer: a prospective study of dose-volume response relationships. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2004 Apr 1;58(5):1451-60 Keywords: scintigraphy, submandibular sparing, xerostomia