PD857 - EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON TREATMENT TOLERANCE AND OUTCOMES IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA PATIENTS

PD857

EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON TREATMENT TOLERANCE AND OUTCOMES IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA PATIENTS

I. Hassnaoui^1,*, R. el gueddari¹, K. Nouni¹, A. Lachgar¹, H. El kacemi¹, T. kebdani¹, K. Hassouni¹

¹Radiotherapy, nationale institute of oncology, rabat, Morocco

 

Rationale: Malnutrition is common in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients due to dysphagia, mucositis, and anorexia, potentially affecting treatment tolerance and outcomes.

The Objectiveis to assess the impact of nutritional status on treatment-related toxicity, treatment interruptions, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in NPC patients receiving VMAT-based radiotherapy ± chemotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on NPC patients treated with VMAT-based radiotherapy ± concurrent chemotherapy. Nutritional status was assessed using BMI, pre-treatment weight loss, and serum albumin. Outcomes included treatment-related toxicities, treatment interruptions, and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Statistical analysis used chi-square tests for categorical variables and the Kaplan–Meier method for survival analysis.

Results: Patients who were malnourished before or during treatment experienced more complications compared to those with adequate nutritional status.

• Weight loss: Nearly half (45%) of malnourished patients lost at least 10% of their body weight, whereas only 10% of well-nourished patients experienced similar weight loss.
• Treatment interruptions: Required in 25% of malnourished patients, compared with 5% of patients with normal nutrition.
• Recurrence-free survival (2-year RFS): Significantly better in well-nourished patients (85%) than in malnourished ones (60%).
• Severe toxicities: Grade 3–4 mucositis or dermatitis occurred in 40% of malnourished patients, versus 15% of well-nourished patients.

Overall, poor nutritional status was linked to increased toxicity, more treatment breaks, and lower RFS.

Conclusion: Nutritional status strongly influences the ability to complete treatment safely and the risk of recurrence.

• Recommendation: Integrate early nutritional support into standard care protocols for NPC patients.

References: nothing

Disclosure of Interest: None declared