Cancer treatment with hormone therapy and its relationship with xerostomia and hyposalivation

Abstract

Background: The appearance of new drugs for cancer treatment has increased patient survival but it has also brought adverse effects, such as the sensation of dry mouth and hyposalivation. Objective: To assess the relationship of using hormone therapy in breast and prostate cancer patients and the occurrence of xerostomia and hyposalivation. Method: Cross-sectional study with 114 patients diagnosed with cancer and treated with hormone therapy (anastrozole or bicalutamide). Age, type of neoplasia, sex, presence of xerostomia (yes or no), and type of medication were obtained with a questionnaire. The researcher collected resting and stimulated salivary flows in the morning. The descriptive statistic analysis, chi-square test (p<0.005), and t-test (<0.005) were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science™ (SSPS), version 21, for different variables of hyposalivation and hormone therapy. Results: The results showed that 67 (55.8%) patients using hormone therapy drugs presented hyposalivation and 73 (64%) patients presented xerostomia. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there is a positive association between stimulated hyposalivation and the use of hormone therapy drugs (p = 0.015). There was also a positive association between hyposalivation and xerostomia and the use of hormone therapy drugs (p = 0.049 and p = 0.001).