Abstract: The impairment of salivary gland function is a common adverse reaction in radiotherapy and chemotherapy of head and neck tumors, which has a serious impact on the quality of life and treatment effect of patients. The incidence of salivary gland dysfunction increases with the increase of the incidence of head and neck diseases. Clear prevention and treatment methods are urgently needed. At present, a large number of domestic and foreign studies have revealed the possible mechanism of the impaired salivary gland function caused by radiation therapy and provided some prevention and treatment measures for clinical reference. This review focuses on the mechanism, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention of salivary gland dysfunction caused by ¹³¹I therapy.