Johnstone P A, Peng Y P, May B C, Inouye W S, Niemtzow R C
Radiation Oncology Division, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92134-1014, USA.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2001 Jun 1;50(2):353-7. doi: 10.1016/s0360-3016(00)01530-3.
Xerostomia is a frequent and potentially debilitating toxicity of radiotherapy (XRT) for cancers of the head and neck. This report describes the use of acupuncture as palliation for such patients.
Eighteen patients with xerostomia refractory to pilocarpine therapy after XRT for head and neck malignancy were offered acupuncture as palliation. All patients are without evidence of cancer recurrence at the primary site. Acupuncture was provided to three auricular points and one digital point bilaterally, with electrostimulation used variably. The Xerostomia Inventory (XI) was administered retrospectively to provide an objective measure of efficacy.
Acupuncture contributed to relief from xerostomia to varying degrees. Palliative effect as measured by the XI varied from nil to robust (pre- minus post- therapy values of over 20 points). Nine patients had benefit of over 10 points on the XI.
Acupuncture reduces xerostomia in some patients who are otherwise refractory to best current management.
口干症是头颈部癌症放射治疗（XRT）常见且可能导致功能障碍的毒性反应。本报告描述了针刺疗法用于此类患者的姑息治疗。
18名头颈部恶性肿瘤接受XRT治疗后对毛果芸香碱治疗无效的口干症患者接受了针刺姑息治疗。所有患者原发部位均无癌症复发迹象。双侧针刺三个耳穴和一个指穴，酌情使用电刺激。回顾性使用口干症量表（XI）以客观评估疗效。
针刺疗法在不同程度上缓解了口干症。根据XI量表测量，姑息效果从无到显著（治疗前减去治疗后的值超过20分）不等。9名患者的XI量表得分改善超过10分。
针刺疗法可缓解一些目前最佳治疗方法无效的患者的口干症。
