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Weight loss in patients receiving radical radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: a prospective study

Journal Article · · JPEN, J. Parenter. Enteral Nutr.; (United States)
; ;
Thirty-one patients receiving radiation therapy for localized cancer of the head and neck areas were systematically assessed before, during, and after treatment. The pathogenesis of weight loss and its association with treatment morbidity and other determinants were sought. The serial data collected consisted of a food frequency questionnaire based on Canada's Food Guide, anthropometric measurements, 10 Linear Analogue Self Assessment questions on morbidity, and biochemical and hematological indices. Twenty of 31 patients (68%) lost over 5% of their presenting weight within one month after completing treatment. The mean weight loss was 10% and the range of weight loss in this group was 5.4 to 18.9%. Pretreatment dietary habits, serum albumin, absolute lymphocyte count, serum creatinine, creatinine height index, and anthropometric measurements did not predict for weight loss. However, weight loss can be predicted on the basis of field size and site irradiated. Treatment-related morbidity involving dysguesia, xerostomia, dysphagia of solids, and mouth pain was greater and of longer duration in patients with weight loss. The sequence of development of these symptoms during treatment and their duration provide a rational basis for the timing and methods of nutritional intervention in this patient population.
Research Organization:
Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
OSTI ID:
5763490
Journal Information:
JPEN, J. Parenter. Enteral Nutr.; (United States), Journal Name: JPEN, J. Parenter. Enteral Nutr.; (United States) Vol. 6:5; ISSN JPEND
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

550603 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AZOLES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BLOOD COUNT
BODY
BODY AREAS
COBALT 60
COBALT ISOTOPES
CREATININE
DIET
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
HEAD
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
IMIDAZOLES
IMINES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MEDICINE
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NECK
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENESIS
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
THERAPY
WEIGHT
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES