A prospective study on weight loss and energy intake in patients with head and neck cancer, during diagnosis, treatment and revalidation

Background & aims Patients with head and neck carcinomas often loose a significant percentage of weight, which correlates with the complication rate. Only limited information is available on the moment and extent of weight loss and energy intake in time and the relation with type of treatment. The aim of this study was to describe the moment and extent of weight loss and nutritional energy intake in patients with tumors in oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx during diagnosis, treatment and revalidation. Methods An observational, prospective study on weight changes and nutritional intake in these patients was carried out during diagnosis, treatment and revalidation in relation to the type of treatment. Results Forty-seven patients successfully completed the study. A significant difference in mean bodyweight was found for patients treated by radiotherapy during treatment (−3.3 kg, P=0.01) and the early revalidation period (−3.4 kg, P=0.01) and for patients treated with surgery during diagnoses (−1.5 kg, P=0.001) and early revalidation period (1.6 kg, P=0.02). Overall patients lowered their energy intake by 122 kcal/day followed by a significant increase in energy intake during revalidation 326 kcal/day (P=0.04). Conclusions The radiotherapy and the concomitant radio-chemotherapy group lost most body weight during treatment and early revalidation. All treatment groups experienced a decrease in energy intake during treatment followed by a significant increase during revalidation.