Nutritional counselling on weight loss and dietary intake of head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a historical control study for future intervention in china

Background- Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas(HNSCC) are one of the most widespread malignancies worldwide. Trace elements such as magnesium are essential at cellular level, and it has been suggested that magnesium plays a role in carcinogenesis. Methods- A hospital based case control study was conducted in a tertiary care medical college with an aim to determine the levels of serum magnesium in patients with head and neck cancer and to compare the levels of serum magnesium of head and neck cancer patients with healthy matched control group and derive significance if any. Results- HNSCC was mainly found in males of age group 46 to 55 years. The mean serum Mg value of head and neck cancer patients was 0.71± 0.18 mmol/l while that seen in controls was 0.85± 0.09 mmol/l which was significantly lower(p<0.001). Average serum magnesium levels in stages I, II, III and IV were 0.85, 0.849, 0.682 and 0.554 mmol/l respectively, and a statistically significant association was determined between the two. Conclusion- As the stage of cancer progressed, average magnesium levels decreased congruently, hence establishing that magnesium levels were undeniably correlated to onset as well as progression of HNC. These evidences could be utilized to identify role of magnesium asa potential prognostic biomarker to assess progression of disease or clinical response to various modes of therapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Download Full-text

Explorative study on the predictive value of systematic inflammatory and metabolic markers on weight loss in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-009-0758-4 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 1385-1391 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Ylva Tiblom Ehrsson ◽

Per M. Hellström ◽

Kerstin Brismar ◽

Lena Sharp ◽

Ann Langius-Eklöf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Metabolic Markers ◽

Explorative Study

Download Full-text

Exploration of risk factors for weight loss in head and neck cancer patients

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice ◽

10.1017/s146039691500031x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 343-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Patrick Dawson ◽

Amy Taylor ◽

Chris Bragg

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Weight ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Relative Significance

AbstractIntroductionHead and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy can experience a number of toxicities, including weight loss and malnutrition, which can impact upon the quality of treatment. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study is to evaluate weight loss and identify predictive factors for this patient group.Materials and methodsA total of 40 patients treated with radiotherapy since 2012 at the study centre were selected for analysis. Data were collected from patient records. The association between potential risk factors and weight loss was investigated.ResultsMean weight loss was 5 kg (6%). In all, 24 patients lost >5% starting body weight. Age, T-stage, N-stage, chemotherapy and starting body weight were individually associated with significant differences in weight loss. On multiple linear regression analysis age and nodal status were predictive.ConclusionYounger patients and those with nodal disease were most at risk of weight loss. Other studies have identified the same risk factors along with several other variables. The relative significance of each along with a number of other potential factors is yet to be fully understood. Further research is required to help identify patients most at risk of weight loss; and assess interventions aimed at preventing weight loss and malnutrition.

Download Full-text