Xerostomia in patients with advanced cancer

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2001 Oct;22(4):820-5. doi: 10.1016/s0885-3924(01)00318-9.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the features of xerostomia in patients with advanced cancer. The protocol involved completion of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and measurement of the unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UWSFR) and the stimulated whole salivary flow rate (SWSFR). One hundred twenty patients participated in the study. Xerostomia was the fourth most common symptom (78% of patients). It was associated with a poor performance status (P = 0.01). The usual cause of xerostomia was drug treatment. There was an association with the total number of drugs prescribed (P = 0.009): the median number of xerostomic drugs prescribed was 4. Xerostomia was ranked the third most distressing symptom. Its severity was correlated with the severity of oral discomfort, dysgeusia, dysmasesia, dysphagia, dysphonia, and anorexia. The UWSFR was a relatively sensitive, but nonspecific, investigation. In contrast, the SWSFR was a relatively specific, but insensitive, investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Xerostomia / epidemiology*
  • Xerostomia / etiology*
  • Xerostomia / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents