Malnutrition is one of the most common and significant issue during the treatment of cancer. Poor nutritional management during the treatment may impede the progress in the treatment. Many international societies have nutritional recommendations published on their websites. India, being a multicultural population with varied nutritional habits and local beliefs have no cohesive evidence-based nutritional approach during and after treatment. The current guideline has been formulated jointly by oncologists, nutritionists, and multidisciplinary professionals with an aim to provide science based standard nutritional guidance to the community healthcare professionals across India. The committee referred to major international guidelines published in recent past. With intense deliberations adopted few selective recommendations which are compatible with Indian practice. Keywords: Cancer, Nutrition, Consensus guideline, nutrition in cancer, IAPEN guidelines, IAPEN cancer guidelines

Malnutrition can be defined as a state of nutrition in which a deficiency or excess or imbalance of energy, protein, and other nutrients cause measurable adverse effects on body tissues, eventually affecting the quality of life and clinical outcome. Malnutrition is associated with many adverse outcomes both in the community as well as in clinical settings; including a suppressed immune system, impaired wound healing, muscle wasting, extended periods of hospital stay, and increased mortality. Undetected malnutrition not only enhances the risk of adverse complications for patients but impacts negatively with an increase in health care costs. This can be prevented if protocol prioritized attention is given to their nutritional care. Achievement of good nutrition is important and is a must in overall healthcare, hence, all stakeholders should be updated regarding the management of malnutrition and challenges encountered. It’s time we start, mobilize everyone and engage governments, policymakers, gain national and global cooperation to address the issue of malnutrition in healthcare settings. The objective of this specialist declaration is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the proper management of malnutrition by a multi-parametric approach starting with the screening of all patients by trained healthcare professionals with easy-to-use validated screening tools. Nutrition screening is the first step towards identifying patients at risk and requiring intervention at the earliest. Only a few accredited hospitals have nutrition screening at the time of reporting as a protocol. The timing of recognizing the presence of malnutrition or at-risk is of paramount importance to reverse the deteriorating nutritional status before the patient becomes cachectic. Keywords: Nutrition care, Malnutrition, Prevention, Clinical nutrition, Human right to nutrition care, Screening, Assessment, Dietitian

Nutritional support is an integral component in the treatment of head and neck cancers (HNC). Studies indicate 90% of HNC patients are at high risk of developing malnutrition. Chemo-radiation and surgery, the three common treatments used to treat HNC are highly susceptible to toxic side effects. Dysphagia is often underestimated in HNC patients. A prolonged impaired swallowing process can lead to severe morbidities like malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration, pneumonia, and even death. These complications have adverse effects on patients' QoL (Quality of Life) and mental health. These adverse reactions further complicate the nutritional status of the patients and the final treatment outcome, increasing morbidity and mortality. The consensus statements try to address nutritional issues and provide practical recommendations for practicing dieticians and clinicians. Keywords: Head and neck cancer guidelines, Nutrition in head and neck cancers, Consensus statements in nutrition in Head and neck cancers, IAPEN head and neck cancer guidelines

Nutritional status plays an important role in cancer treatment. Several studies have strongly indicated that malnutrition has a negative impact on the efficacy of cancer treatment. Nutritional negligence or poor nutrition may impede the progress in cancer care, rendering them a harder time with the toxic side effects. It is well documented that there is a high prevalence of cancer-related malnutrition ranging from 25% to 70% from various studies, and cancer patients are the most malnourished of all other patient groups. Escalation of nutrients, effective counseling, and consistent monitoring as an adjuvant to cancer treatment, not only improve nutrition parameters, and body composition but also help in managing toxic effects, thus enhancing the quality of life and ultimately better survival. Keywords: Cancer nutrition, Onconutrition, Malnutrition

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