P300 - ROLE OF NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING IN REDUCING UNPLANNED HOSPITALIZATIONS DURING RADIOTHERAPY FOR PELVIC CANCERS

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P300

ROLE OF NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING IN REDUCING UNPLANNED HOSPITALIZATIONS DURING RADIOTHERAPY FOR PELVIC CANCERS

C. Ezzouitina1,2, A. Majdi1,2, F. Z. CHRAA1,2, M. Farina1,2, A. Lachgar1,2, K. Nouni1,2, H. El Kacemi1,2, T. Kebdani1,2,*, K. Hassouni1,2

1Department of Radiotherapy, National Institute Of Oncology, 2Medicine, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

 

Rationale: Pelvic radiotherapy is frequently associated with gastrointestinal toxicities such as diarrhea, dehydration, and anorexia, often leading to unplanned hospitalizations or interruptions in treatment.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of structured nutritional counseling on the rate of unplanned hospitalizations during radiotherapy for pelvic cancers.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between January and June 2024 at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. The study included patients undergoing  radiochemotherapy for cervical, rectal, or bladder cancers. Patients were divided into two groups:

        - Group A : received weekly individualized nutritional counseling and adapted dietary recommendations.

        - Group B : received standard care without scheduled nutritional follow-up.

The primary aim  was the incidence of unplanned hospitalizations due to gastrointestinal toxicity.

Secondary outcomes included treatment interruptions, weight loss, and patient-reported outcomes related to gastrointestinal symptoms.

Results: A total of 184 patients were included: 116 treated for cervical cancer, 60 for rectal cancer, 4 for bladder cancer, (92 per group).

The rate of unplanned hospitalizations was significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (9.3% vs. 27.9%, p = 0.03).

Patients in the group A also experienced less grade ≥2 diarrhea (37.2% vs. 60.4%, p = 0.04), fewer treatment delays (11.6% vs. 30.2%), and lower mean weight loss (-1.1 kg vs. -3.4 kg, p < 0.01).

Patient-reported outcomes showed improved scores in appetite and fatigue in Group A.

Conclusion: Structured nutritional counseling during pelvic radiotherapy significantly reduces unplanned hospitalizations and gastrointestinal toxicity. These findings support the integration of routine nutritional support in the standard management of patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared