Head and Neck Cancer
Dietitians are core members of the HNC team and have an essential role in assessing, managing and treating the nutritional problems that these cancers and their treatment cause.[i]
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recognise that registered dietitians should be a core member of the HNC multi-disciplinary team.(ibid)
A dietetic led decision process for HNC gastrostomy placements, demonstrated reductions in tube related complications, hospital admissions and length of stay, resulting in financial savings.[ii]
Providingspecialist nutritional advice by a registered dietitian may improve quality of life, and maximise the efficacy and tolerability of their HNC treatment.[iii] In turn, this helpsachieve the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative’s (NCSI) aim for those living with and beyond cancer to get the support and care they need to live as healthy and active a life as possible, for as long as possible.(ibid)
Dietetic assessment and intervention at the start of a HNC patient’s journey from diagnosis, through to their rehabilitation phase and beyond, can help to reduce weight loss and improve outcomes.[iv]
Head and neck cancer patients receiving individualised nutrition counselling by a registered dietitian show significant improvement in their nutritional intake, status and quality of life.[v],[vi],[vii],[viii]
[i] National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2004. Improving Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancers -The manual. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. [online] Available at: <http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CSGHN> [Accessed 28 June 2013].
[ii] Talwar, B., Hewitt, R., 2009. Nutrition & Dietetic Led Gastrostomy Pathway of Care for Insertion & Removal Contributes to Outcomes. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 68 : E65.
[iii] Department Of Health, Macmillan Cancer Support & NHS Improvement. Living with & Beyond Cancer: Taking Action to Improve Outcomes (an update to the 2010 The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative Vision). 2013. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/living-with-and-beyond-cancer-taking-action-to-improve-outcomes [Accessed 19 July 2013].
[iv]Paccagnella, A., Morello, M., Da Mosto, M. C., Baruffi, C., Marcon, M. L., Gava, A., Baggio,V., Lamon, S., Babare, R., Rosti, G., Giometto, M., Boscolo-Rizzo, P., Kiwanuka, E., Tessarin, M., Caregaro, L. and Marchiori, C., 2010. Early nutritional intervention improves treatment tolerance and outcomes in head and neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 18 (7), pp. 837-845.
[v]Capuano, G., Gentile, P. C., Bianciardi, F., Tosti, M., Palladino, A. and Palma, M.D., 2010. Prevalence and influence of malnutrition on quality of life and performance status in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer before treatment. Supportive Care in Cancer, 18 (4), pp. 433-437.
[vi] Ravasco, P., Monteiro-Grillo, I., Camilo, M.E., 2003. Does nutrition influence quality of life in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 67 213-220.
[vii] Ravasco, P., Monteiro-Grillo, I., Vidal, P. M. and Camilo, M. E., 2005. Impact of nutrition on outcome: A prospective randomized controlled trail in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Head and Neck. 27(8), pp. 659-668.
[viii]Van den berg, M.G.A., Rasmussen-Conrad el Wei, K.H., Lintz-Luidens, H., Kaanders, J.H.A.M., and Merkx, M.A.W., 2010. Comparison of the effects of individual dietary counselling and of standard nutritional care on weight loss in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy. British Journal of Nutrition, 104 (6), pp. 872-877.
