Prospective Randomized Study of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy on Salivary Gland Function in Early-Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

IMRT is superior to 2DRT in preserving parotid function and results in less severe delayed xerostomia in the treatment of early-stage NPC. Incomplete improvement in patient's subjective xerostomia with parotid-sparing IMRT reflects the need to enhance protection of other salivary glands.