Nutritional counselling and oral nutritional supplements in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy

How to cite this article: Valentini V., Marazzi F., Bossola M., Miccichè F., Nardone L., Balducci M., Dinapoli N., Bonomo P., Autorino R., Silipigni S., Giuliani F., Tamanti C., Mele M.C. & Martorana G.E. (2012) Nutritional counselling and oral nutritional supplements in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 25, 201–208 Background: The role of nutritional counselling (NC) with or without oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in patients receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) still remains to be clearly defined, particularly with regard to CRT‐related toxicity. Methods: Patients undergoing CRT for HNC received NC by the dietitian within the first 4 days of radiotherapy and weekly for the course of radiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks). A weekly supply of oral nutrition supplements [1560 kJ (373 kcal) per 100 g] for up to 3 months was provided to all patients. Results: Twenty‐one patients completed CRT. Mucositis G3 developed in seven (33.3%) patients, whereas mucositis G4 was absent. Dysphagia was present before the start of treatment in four patients. In the remaining 17 patients, dysphagia G3 developed during/at the end of treatment in five cases. The percentage of patients interrupting anti‐neoplastic treatment for was 28% for ≥6 days, 28% for 3–5 days and 44% for 0–2 days. Mucositis G3 frequency was lower in patients with a baseline body mass index (BMI, kg m−2) ≥25 (two out of 12; 16.6%) than in patients with BMI 30 cm than in those with a mid arm circumference in the range 28.1–30 cm and