SALIVARY FLOW AND COMPOSITION IN LYMPHOMA PATIENTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH CYTOSTATIC DRUGS

To investigate the effect of modern, intensive chemotherapy on salivary flow rate and composition, 79 patients suffering from Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma were studied before, during and after administration of cytostatic drugs. 49 patients (mean age 49.9 years, 30 men, 19 women) completed the 1-year study. All patients who received radiotherapy or medication other than cytostatics were excluded. The results showed no marked differences in stimulated salivary flow rates, buffering capacities and amylase and total protein concentrations between the beginning and the end of the 12 month trial. However, significant increases in albumin secretion into saliva and salivary lysozyme concentrations were observed. Total salivary IgG, IgA and IgM concentrations decreased significantly during the cancer therapy but values returned to the baseline levels after termination of treatment. Despite the well-known cytolytic effect of anticancer drugs, chemotherapy need not therefore be permanently detrimental to saliva.