Sep 13, 2025
1:00 PM2:00 PM
Poster Session
P011 - EFFECTS OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT ON TOXICITIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIOCHEMOTHERAPY FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER
P011
EFFECTS OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT ON TOXICITIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIOCHEMOTHERAPY FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER
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: Patients with head and neck cancer are at high risk of malnutrition due to treatment-related toxicities, particularly mucositis and esophagitis. Malnutrition can, in turn, exacerbate these adverse effects.
This study aims to evaluate the impact of intensive nutritional support on treatment-related toxicities and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer.
Methods: This is a prospective study conducted in the Radiotherapy Department of the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat between January and March 2025. The study includes 42 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer and treated with radiochemotherapy.
Patients were divided into two groups: standard nutritional follow-up versus intensive follow-up with personalized dietary counseling and oral nutritional supplements.
Weekly clinical assessments were performed to monitor acute toxicities (graded using CTCAE v4.0) and the nutritional status of the patients.
Results: The median age of patients was 42 years (range: 22–63). The most common tumor site was the nasopharynx (46.25%).
The group receiving intensive nutritional support showed a significant reduction in toxicities such as dysphagia and mucositis, along with an improvement in quality of life as measured by the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire. Notably, improvements were seen in pain, dry mouth, and swallowing function. In contrast, patients under standard follow-up experienced more severe toxicities and were at greater risk of treatment interruption.
Conclusion: Intensive nutritional management during radiochemotherapy improves treatment tolerance and enhances the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared