Addressing Xerostomia in Patients Undergoing Treatment For Head and Neck Cancer
By Sarah B. Hoerler, RDH, MS, Olivia M. Muller, DDS, FACP
Cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx are on the rise, with more than 50,000 cases diagnosed in 2020.1 While the prevalence of these cancers declined in the 1980s due to a decrease in tobacco and alcohol use, the rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancers began to rise in 1999.2 Between 2007 and 2016, oral and pharyngeal cancers increased by approximately 0.6% annually.2 This rapid increase appears to be due to pharyngeal cancers linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections located at the base of the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, uvula, and pharyngeal walls. Cancers linked to HPV have been increasing by 2.1% annually, whereas cancers unrelated to HPV have been decreasing by 0.4% annually.3
* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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