• Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group. Hodson DI, Haines T, Berry M. Symptomatic treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients [full report]. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2004 Mar [online update]. 11 p. (Practice guideline report; no. 5-5). [29 references]

• For head and neck cancer patients with symptomatic xerostomia following radiation therapy using conventional fractionation schedules, pilocarpine at 5 mg three times per day is recommended.
• Patients must have evidence of preexisting salivary function and no medical contraindications to pilocarpine therapy.
• The ideal duration of treatment with pilocarpine is undefined. The decision to extend treatment beyond three months can be based only on clinical judgment and not on evidence.
• It is reasonable to use pilocarpine for patients with symptomatic xerostomia following hyperfractionated or accelerated fractionation radiotherapy.

None provided

The recommendations are supported by randomized controlled trials.

• Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group. Hodson DI, Haines T, Berry M. Symptomatic treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients [full report]. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2004 Mar [online update]. 11 p. (Practice guideline report; no. 5-5). [29 references]

Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.

1998 Oct 15 (revised 2004 Mar)

Program in Evidence-based Care - State/Local Government Agency [Non-U.S.]

The Practice Guidelines Initiative (PGI) is the main project of the Program in Evidence-based Care (PEBC), a Province of Ontario initiative sponsored by Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Cancer Care Ontario
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Provincial Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group

Members of the Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group disclosed potential conflict of interest information.

None available

This summary was completed by ECRI on August 19, 1999. The information was verified by the guideline developer as of September 17, 1999. This NGC summary was updated by ECRI on December 17, 2001. The updated information was reviewed by the guideline developer as of January 10, 2002. This NGC summary was updated by ECRI on March 20, 2003. The information was verified by the guideline developer on May 8, 2003. This NGC summary was updated again on June 29, 2004. The information was verified by the guideline developer on July 19, 2004.