Effects of nutritional intervention in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A prospective randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract. Head and neck malignant tumors have numerous locations of the disease. After patients receive radiotherapy, their nutritional status is very poor, thus the curative effect is unsatisfactory. The aims of the present study were to investigate and analyze the nutritional status of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy (RT) in order to provide positive nutrition intervention for assisting the radiotherapy effect. A total of 40 patients with head and neck cancer were selected using a method of subjective global assessment (SGA) to assess nutritional status, including calorie intake and energy expenditure. In a randomized, controlled study, 20 patients received intensive dietary counseling and nutritional therapy (G1) and 20 received regular dietary as controls (G0) preradiotherapy and postradiotherapy. The primary endpoint was calorie intake and energy expenditure. The secondary endpoint was SGA rating with nutritional therapy. At the end of RT, energy intake showed a net increase in G1 (1,691±301 kcal) compared with that in G0 (1,066±312 kcal) (P<0.05); energy expenditure increased in G1 (1,673±279 kcal) compared with G0 (1,490±298 kcal) (P<0.05). The prevalence of severe malnutrition following radiotherapy was significantly different between the two study groups (10 patients in G0 and 4 patients in G1; P<0.05). The number of the normal malnutrition patients postRT in G0 decreased from 4 to 2 and conversely, in G1 it increased from 3 to 6 (P<0.05). In conclusion, patients with head and neck cancer were most malnutritioned, which impacted on clinical outcome. Timely nutritional intervention can effectively prevent weight loss and muscle wasting.Additionally, it may improve quality of life by decreasing the frequency of severe malnutrition.

An evaluation of nutrition intervention during radiation therapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Figures 1 to 5 showed how the nutritional status of patientsgradually declined, and this nutritional deterioration can be seen in both groups. The result was consistent with the study by Kang [ 32 ]. Although nutrition intervention was given to patients who were undernourished, no improvement was seen in their nutrition status.…”

A qualitative approach in determining the patient-centered information and supportive care needs of cancer patients in Singapore

“…As adequate nutritional support is an integral part of a cancer patient’s treatment and malnutrition can complicate the course and outcome of treatment, early intervention of nutritional support is important. Studies have also shown that adequate nutritional support may improve immunocompetence in patients receiving radiation or chemotherapy47–50 and that good nutritional status may increase response rates to therapy and also help to promote better tolerance to therapy.…”

The Impact of Active Nutritional Support for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

“…The studies suggested that Original Article SMJ early intervention (active dietary counseling, the addition of nutrition supplements, or the use of a prophylactic feeding tube) may improve patients' nutritional statuses. [8][9][10][11] There are a number of ways to manage the nutrition of HNC patients. Many studies have explored effective ways to improve nutrition before, during, and after cancer treatment, especially concurrent chemoradiotherapy.…”