Acupuncture in Preventing Radiation-Induced Xerostomia

Inclusion Criteria

• Able to give informed consent
• Diagnosed with head and neck cancer, which will be primarily oropharyngeal, and scheduled to undergo intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy at M. D. Anderson
• Treatment plan that includes external beam radiation at a mean dose of at least 24 Gy or more to one of the parotid glands (the other gland can receive less than 24 Gy)
• Anatomically intact parotid and submandibular glands
• Karnofsky performance status > 60

Exclusion Criteria

• History of xerostomia prior to head and neck radiation therapy or history of Sjögren's disease or another underlying systemic illness known to cause xerostomia
• Prior head and neck radiation treatment
• Suspected or confirmed physical closure of salivary gland ducts on either side
• Known bleeding disorders or taking any dose of warfarin or heparin
• Upper or lower extremity deformities that could interfere with accurate acupoint location or alter the energy pathway as defined by traditional acupuncture theory
• Local skin infections at or near the acupuncture sites or active systemic infection
• History of cerebrovascular accident or spinal cord injury since the mechanism of acupuncture may be associated with central nervous system activity
• Mental incapacitation or significant emotional or psychiatric disorder that, in the opinion of the investigator, precludes study entry
• Current acknowledged use of any illicit drugs or evidence of alcohol abuse as defined by The American Psychiatric Association criteria
• Current acknowledged use of amifostine trihydrate, cholinergic agonist medications (pilocarpine hydrochloride, cevimeline hydrochloride), certain beta adrenergic antagonists, anticholinergic agents, or any saliva substitute or other medication/herbal preparation known to affect salivary function
• Patients who are currently receiving acupuncture for any condition or if they have ever had acupuncture before