The preparation of an autologous saliva for use with patients undergoing therapeutic radiation for head and neck cancer

Purpose: At the present time there is no general agreement about how to prevent the symptoms and clinical signs that accompany therapeutic irradiation for head and neck cancer. Because saliva is the principal protector of the oral tissues, it is logical to assume that many of these changes are due to the radiation-induced damage to the salivary glands. We have observed that the flow and composition of saliva is normal in most patients before their irradiation. Theoretically, it should, therefore, be possible to collect their saliva before they commence their course of radiation, store it in a “saliva bank,” and give it back to them when they undergo radiation. The key to the use of such an autologous saliva is the fabrication of a technique that disinfects or sterilizes the saliva yet preserves its protective properties. The objective of this study was to prepare an autologous saliva that would be used by patients during their irradiation for head and neck cancer.