
<b>Salivary Glands &amp; Mouth</b>
 
The salivary glands have a greater sensitivity to radiation damage than the gustatory tissues. The decrease in salivary secretion was correlated with the amount of salivary glands irradiated. When the rest of the major salivary glands are irradiated, most of the parotids have to be outside of the treated volume to prevent severe dryness phenomena.

Radiotherapy to the parotid bed is not without morbidity. Complications may arise as a result of radiation damage to neighboring structures [brain, spinal cord] and there is also potential to induce malignant disease. 

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