Trial of Acupuncture for Radiation-Induced Xerostomia in Head and Neck Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Must be at least 18 years of age and able to give informed consent. * Must be able to read, write and understand English. * Must have a diagnosis of head/neck cancer. * Must have received bilateral radiation therapy, and subsequently developed grade 2 or 3 xerostomia, according to modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scale: * Grade 0 - None * Grade 1 - Slight dryness of mouth (good response on stimulation and no significant dietary alterations necessary) * Grade 2 - Moderate dryness of mouth (poor response on stimulation and altered oral intake required such as frequent water, oral lubricants, or soft-moist foods) * Grade 3 - Complete dryness of mouth (no response on stimulation and difficult oral alimentation; IV fluids, pureed diet or tube feedings may be required) * Grade 4 - Fibrosis * Must have received external beam radiation at a mean dose of at least 24 Gy to one of the parotid glands. The other gland can receive less than 24 Gy. * Must have completed radiotherapy at least 12 months prior to entry. * Must have anatomically intact parotid and submandibular glands. A focused (head/neck) history and exam conducted by a physician or dentist within the past year is required. * Must be acupuncture naïve. * Must have Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2. Exclusion Criteria: * History of xerostomia, Sjogren's disease or other illness known to affect salivation prior to head/neck radiation. * Suspec…