Hey Nelson, I've been looking for information on Electron Radiation Therapy for the treatment of enlarged parotid glands. My main question is whether or not this treatment has any clinical benefit besides improving quality of life through the cosmetic benefits. Does viral load decrease? Do CD4s increase? Or any other marker for health improve? Would it be effective in reducing cancer risk associated with chronic swollen parotids? Thanks in advance.

For those who are wondering what this question is about, please read this previous posting: electron radiation for parotids

The main benefits of this procedure on people with swollen parotid glands are cosmetic ( you do not have a moon face anymore) and reduction or elimination of pain (this swelling can cause pain in the jaw area in some people). Some people have reported a small decrease in CD4 cells that seem to rebound later, and a reduction in saliva production and facial hair, which also seems to get better with time. No viral load changes have been reported. And there is no evidence that swollen parotids cause cancer, or that this radiation does so either.

You may want to ask all of these questions to the country's top expert on this procedure: Dr Patricia Gordon in Los Angeles.

Nelson