The eating experience after treatment for head and neck cancer: A review of the literature

AbstractHyperammonemic encephalopathy is an uncommon, potentially lethal adverse effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Being one of the most common and versatile chemotherapy agents, it is important to understand this important side effect of 5FU. There is paucity of data in this subject. Here, we report a case of 5FU-induced encephalopathy in a patient on induction chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. In this case report, the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of 5FU-induced encephalopathy is reported.

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Autoimmune-related encephalitis during treatment with nivolumab for advanced head and neck cancer: a case report

Tumori Journal ◽

10.1177/0300891620951262 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 106 (6) ◽

pp. NP23-NP28

Author(s):

Alessandro Guidi ◽

Martina Violati ◽

Miriam Blasi ◽

Elettra Ferrari ◽

Andrea Luciani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy ◽

First Line ◽

First Case ◽

Life Threatening ◽

One Year

Introduction: Head and neck cancer represents a variety of tumors involving different organs in the cervical district, burdened by poor prognosis when diagnosed in an advanced stage. Immunotherapy with both anti-PD-1 nivolumab and pembrolizumab has the aim of increasing overall survival for patients with this malignancy. We report the first case of immune-related encephalitis caused by nivolumab in this setting of disease and present a brief review of the literature. Case description: A 60-year-old woman had been treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy for a locally advanced human papillomavirus–negative squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. After local recurrence, she was treated with platinum-based first-line chemotherapy, followed by nivolumab at further progression within 6 months. Nivolumab was administered for 19 weeks, then discontinued due to the occurrence of immune-related hypothyroidism and grade 2 diarrhea. A month after the onset of the endocrinopathy, the patient also developed steroid-responsive encephalitis, considered as a consequence of anti-PD-1 therapy. One year after discontinuation of immunotherapy, toxicities have resolved and the patient is maintaining a complete radiologic response. Conclusions: Immunotherapy is a relatively new and promising therapy in the field of oncology. Its mechanism of action, which aims to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells, is not comparable to systemic and cytotoxic chemotherapy, which directly attacks and destroys malignant cells. Despite these differences, immunotherapy is not to be considered free from side effects, sometimes life-threatening.

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Toxicities Caused by Head and Neck Cancer Treatments and Their Influence on the Development of Malnutrition: Review of the Literature

European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education ◽

10.3390/ejihpe10040066 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 935-949

Author(s):

Maddison Hunter ◽

Jane Kellett ◽

Kellie Toohey ◽

Nathan M. D’Cunha ◽

Stephen Isbel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Cancer Treatments ◽

Potential Effectiveness ◽

Adverse Side Effects

Malnutrition poses a significant problem for oncology patients, resulting in fatalities within this population. Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are at high risk, with up to 90% developing malnutrition. Common treatments used for HNC can often lead to adverse side effects, including oral health conditions, gastrointestinal upsets, and several metabolic changes. Consequently, treatments can cause inadequate nutritional intake, resulting in a reduction in energy consumption, and alterations in energy utilization, contributing to the development of malnutrition. Furthermore, the presence of these treatment toxicities, and the related malnutrition can lead to reduced quality of life, weight loss, and psychological distress. There are interventions available (nutritional, medicinal, and physical therapies) that have demonstrated potential effectiveness in reducing the severity of symptomatic toxicities, reducing the risk of malnutrition, and improving survival outcomes of patients with HNC. Based on the findings of this review, there is an urgent need for the implementation or continuation of multi-disciplinary strategies, as well as updated and improved guidelines to assist in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition caused by treatment-related toxicities in patients with HNC.

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