Nutritional Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Open Access
- 16 April 2020
- journal article
- review article
- Published by MDPI AG in Healthcare
- Vol. 8 (2), 102
- https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8020102
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to update the oncologist on the correct approach to the nutritional care of the head and neck cancer patient. Recent scientific contributions on this issue, with a special emphasis on international guidelines and randomised clinical trials (RCTs), are reviewed. The following points are noteworthy: 1. Despite the advances in early diagnosis and modern treatment of head and neck cancer, this tumour still ranks first regarding frequency and severity of weight loss, both at the clinical presentation and during the therapy. 2. This is due to the combination of poor alimentation because of the tumour mass localization, as well as of the presence of an inflammatory response which furtherly drives catabolism. 3. Several studies have shown a very limited role for a dietary counselling unless it includes oral nutritional supplements which are protein or omega-3 fatty acid enriched. 4. A parental nutritional supplementation could represent an acceptable short-term alternative. 5. Long-term nutritional support relies on the use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), whereas the role of a prophylactic or “a la demande” PEG is still unsettled and requires further investigations. In conclusion, the nutritional approach using specific formulas and the appropriate route of administration should be part of the therapeutic armamentarium of the modern oncologist.Keywords
This publication has 52 references indexed in Scilit:
- Immunonutrition before and during radiochemotherapy: improvement of inflammatory parameters in head and neck cancer patientsSupportive Care in Cancer, 2012
- Nutritional surveillance and weight loss in head and neck cancer patientsSupportive Care in Cancer, 2011
- Nutrition impact symptoms: Key determinants of reduced dietary intake, weight loss, and reduced functional capacity of patients with head and neck cancer before treatmentHead & Neck, 2009
- Randomized study of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tubes for enteral feeding in head and neck cancer patients treated with (chemo)radiationJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, 2008
- Changes in body mass, energy balance, physical function, and inflammatory state in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation after low‐dose induction chemotherapyHead & Neck, 2007
- Cancer cachexia syndrome in head and neck cancer patients: Part I. Diagnosis, impact on quality of life and survival, and treatmentHead & Neck, 2007
- Eating Problems and Weight Loss for Patients With Head and Neck CancerCancer Nursing, 2005
- Prognostic factors and long‐term survivorship in patients with recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the head and neckCancer, 2004
- ESPEN Guidelines for Nutrition Screening 2002Clinical Nutrition, 2003
- Weight loss predicts mortality after recurrent oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinomasCancer, 2002