During radiation therapy, which mouth effect is most likely to be monitored as a local effect?

• A. Xerostomia
• B. Infection
• C. Ulceration
• D. Bleeding

Answer: (A)

During radiation therapy to the head and neck, the salivary glands are in the field of radiation, so their function is directly affected. When these glands receive dose, saliva production drops, leading to xerostomia (dry mouth). This is a local tissue effect that clinicians routinely monitor because it directly reflects the impact of treatment on the oral environment and has significant implications for comfort, speaking, swallowing, and dental health. While ulceration, infection, and bleeding can occur in irradiated mouths, they are less consistently linked to the glandular dose and are often subsequent problems from mucosal injury or other factors; xerostomia is the most characteristic local change seen with this therapy.