Nutritional intervention during radiotherapy of head and neck cancers

Małgorzata Solecka; Stanisław Głuszek

doi:10.5114/ms.2018.76877

eISSN: 2300-6722
ISSN: 1899-1874

Medical Studies/Studia Medyczne

Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Supplements Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Ethical standards and procedures

Editorial System

Submit your Manuscript

Editorial Policies

Sarajevo Declaration on Integrity and Visibility of Scholarly Publications

2/2018
vol. 34

Send email

Copy url:

abstract:

Review paper

Nutritional intervention during radiotherapy of head and neck cancers

Małgorzata Solecka

,

Stanisław Głuszek

Medical Studies/Studia Medyczne 2018; 34 (2): 153–159

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ms.2018.76877

Online publish date: 2018/06/30

View full text Get citation

PlumX metrics:

Radiotherapy is one of the main forms of treatment for head and neck cancer. This procedure is associated with high toxicity in the irradiated area resulting in patients’ numerous complaints about: inflammation of oral mucous membranes, difficulties with food chewing and swallowing, dry mouth, or impaired taste and smell. Some of these pathologies are temporary and go away at a specific time after treatment, but some of the damage is permanent and irreversible. Complications at the level of the upper gastrointestinal tract cause considerable difficulties in food intake; therefore, intensive dietary counselling is recommended along with nutritional intervention in this group of patients. Adopted and recommended methods of nutritional support during radiotherapy include: modification of the basic diet in terms of consistency, oral nutritional supplements, enteral nutrition with the use of probes, and nutrient gastrostomy.

keywords:

Nutritional intervention during radiotherapy of head and neck cancers

Małgorzata Solecka , Stanisław Głuszek

radiotherapy, nutritional treatment, head and neck cancer

Małgorzata Solecka

,

Stanisław Głuszek