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MRI Sialography for Reduced Dry Mouth in Head and Neck Cancer

This study is testing a new way to reduce dry mouth (xerostomia), a common side effect for people receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. It compares two approaches to radiation planning: one uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sialography to specifically protect your parotid ducts (small tubes that carry saliva), and the other uses the standard method of protecting the entire parotid gland. The goal is to see if protecting the parotid ducts separately can lead to less dry mouth. You may be able to join if you are 18 or older and have head and neck cancer. Success for this study means participants report less dry mouth after 6 months. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial, meaning participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. It is a double-masked study, so neither you nor your doctors will know which treatment group you are in. About 98 people are expected to participate.
What's involved
All participants will undergo an MRI sialography scan before radiation therapy. Radiation therapy will then be planned and administered based on your assigned group.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your dry mouth will be assessed 6 months after treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07278557

Sparing Parotid Ducts Via MRI Sialography for Reduced Patient-Reported Xerostomia

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18+InterventionalSupportive care
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
~98 participants
Updated 2026-02-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:MRI sialographyParotid Duct Sparing Radiation Therapy PlanningParotid Sparing Radiation Therapy Planning

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
The rate of xerostomia score based on the University of Michigan Xerostomia -6 months Questionnaire - 6 months
Measured over 6 months

Conditions

Head and Neck Cancer

Explore related trials

Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

NCT07278557

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Radiation Oncology

    Chapel Hill, North Carolinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • David Fried, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Who to contact

Tuvara King
[email protected]
(984) 974-0000
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Provide written informed consent to participate in the study and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information.
Able to comply with study procedures based on the judgment of the clinical investigator.
Male or female, aged ≥ 18 years at the time of consent.
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2 at the time of consent.
Women of reproductive potential must use highly effective contraception.
T0-4, N0-3, M0 stage cancer of the oropharynx (American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System 8th edition) planned for definitive radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy.
No contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Exclusion

Patients with Sjogren's disease or baseline xerostomia.
Patients with lesions involving the salivary glands on diagnostic imaging
Patients with an allergy to lemon juice
Prior lifetime history of radiation therapy to the head and neck
Current pregnancy or lactation.

What this trial measures

  • The rate of xerostomia score based on the University of Michigan Xerostomia -6 months Questionnaire - 6 months6 months

    The rate of xerostomia score based on the University of Michigan Xerostomia Questionnaire (UMXQ) will be determined. UMXQ is an eight-item patient-reported instrument designed to assess the severity of xerostomia (dry mouth), gauging symptoms both during and outside of eating or chewing. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse xerostomia. Participants treated with parotid ductal sparing radiotherapy will be compared.