Incidence of Acute Suppurative Sialadenitis in End-Stage Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

CONTEXT: Acute suppurative sialadenitis (hereafter referred to as sialadenitis) is accompanied by pain and fever and can diminish the quality of life in end-stage cancer patients; however, its incidence is not clear. OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to elucidate the incidence of sialadenitis in end-stage cancer patients. METHODS: Retrospective review and observational study based on patients' medical records. SUBJECTS: About 726 consecutive cancer patients who died on the palliative care unit of our hospital between April 2012 and November 2016 were included. MEASUREMENTS: Median duration between sialadenitis onset and death, concomitant treatment, average infusion volume per day, site of onset, symptoms, effectiveness of antibiotic treatment, and mean duration until symptomatic relief. RESULTS: The incidence of sialadenitis was 2.9% (21 of 726 cases). The median duration from onset to death was 20 days (range 2-112); concomitant treatment included opioids in 11 patients (55%), anticholinergic drugs in six patients (28%), steroids in three patients (14%), and oxygen inhalation in five patients (23%); average infusion volume per day was 588 +/- 307 mL; site of onset was submandibular gland in 12 patients (57%) and parotid gland in nine patients (42%); and symptoms were pain in 18 patients (85%) and fever in 13 patients (61%). Antibiotic treatment was administered in 18 patients (85%), and the mean duration until symptomatic relief was 4.0 +/- 1.5 days. CONCLUSION: Sialadenitis is a rare complication in end-stage cancer patients; however, it is important to recognize that it can be associated with severe symptoms, including fever and pain.