Xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction are major complications of radiation-
therapy (RT) or chemotherapy. Head and neck radiation RT is employed as a
primary, concomitant or adjuvant treatment modality for primary and recurrent
tumors of the head and neck region. Irradiation and cytostatic drugs lead to sialoadenitis
which in turn may lead to irreversible damage of acinar cells of major and
minor salivary glands and result in hyposalivation and permanent xerostomia [1].
Long-term morbidity in patients receiving combined radiation and chemotherapy is
significant because of salivary gland hypofunction, radiation-induced xerostomia,
mucositis and severe dysphagia