Nutritional Needs Head And Neck Cancer

It s important to get enough nutrition before during and after your cancer treatment.

Nutritional needs head and neck cancer. Malnutrition and nutritional deficits have a significant negative impact on mortality morbidity and quality of life. Nutritional and metabolic problems in cancer patients. Due to the location of the disease patients commonly experience symptoms and side effects that interfere with eating and drinking normally. Calorie and protein needs are increased in patients receiving treatments for cancer.

A nutritional assessment must be part of all comprehensive treatment plans for patients with head and neck cancer. Nutritional issues are common among all cancer diagnoses throughout all stages of treatment. For those with head and neck cancer hnc it is especially important. The unique set of side effects of the disease process and treatment cause the patient to develop nutritional challenges.

Nutritional needs energy and protein needs depend on the extent of surgery and other therapies the stage of the disease body weight age gender activity level and nutritional status. Patients with head and neck cancer often have distinct nutrition needs. The challenges are complex to manage often requiring supplemental feedings. Sometimes cancerous squamous cells can be found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of the head and neck.

A number of clinical guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients have been published by espen as well as by other national and international societies 6e9. 1 up to 57 of patients with head and neck cancer present with malnutrition with a greater than 10 weight loss from baseline body mass. And bythis to lower the incidence and impact of malnutrition and metabolic derangements in cancer patients and survivors. Patients can be malnourished at presentation and the majority of patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer will need nutritional support.

This information will teach you how you can change your diet to manage your side effects during radiation therapy chemotherapy or both for head and neck cancer. Getting enough nutrition can help you. Nutritional interventions should be initiated before cancer treatment begins and these interventions need to be ongoing after completion of treatment to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. Keep your weight stable.

Cancers of the brain the eye the esophagus and the thyroid gland as well as those of the scalp skin muscles and bones of the head and neck are not usually classified as head and neck cancers. These increased needs combined with the many possible side effects may lead to weight loss. It is very important to try and maintain your weight while receiving radiation.