Description

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

 


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