The SOMA (Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic) – LENT (Late Effects of Normal Tissue) scoring system can be used to evaluate salivary gland injury occurring as a complication following radiation and chemotherapy.
Subjective measures:
(1) xerostomia
Objective measures:
(1) saliva
Management measures:
(1) xerostomia
Analytic studies:
(1) salivary flow after stimulation
If no toxicity is present, then the 0 points are assigned.
If a toxicity is present, then the grade indicates the number of points to assign.
|
Grade 1 |
Grade 2 |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
xerostomia |
occasional dryness |
partial but persistent dryness |
complete dryness, not debilitating |
complete dryness, debilitating |
saliva |
normal moisture |
scant saliva |
absence of moisture; sticky, viscous saliva |
absence of moisture; coated mucosa |
xerostomia management |
NA |
occasional saliva substitute; sugarless candy or gum; sialogogues |
frequent saliva substitute or water; sugarless candy or gum; sialogogues |
needs saliva substitute or water in order to eat; sugarless candy or gum; sialogogues |
total score =
= SUM(points for all 3 items)
LENT score =
= (total score) / 3
Analytic Items |
Grade 1 |
Grade 2 |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
salivary flow |
76-95% of that prior to cancer therapy |
51-75% |
26-50% |
<= 25% |
Interpretation:
• maximum total score: 12
• minimum LENT score: 0
• maximum LENT score: 4.00
• maximum analytic score: 4
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Otolaryngology