[Clinical and statistical study on the value of the sugar cube test in the measurement of the degree of radio-induced xerostomia].

Personal experience with the sugar cube test for evaluating the degree of xerostomy induced by radiation therapy carried out by means of 60Co photons on volumes including the parotid glands is reported. The execution technique is described and the processing of data deriving from a series of 480 tests carried out in 60 patients suffering from head-neck cancers reported. On the basis of experience it is maintained that the test presents the following advantages: simple execution, maximum tolerance, easy evaluation, possibility of numerically quantifying and graphically evidencing the course of xerostomy; in conclusion, it is considered that this can be advantageously adopted for both research and practical clinico-therapeutic purposes.