Nutrition and swallowing therapy strategies for patients with head and neck cancer.

Marianne Boll Kristensen, Elizabeth Isenring, Bena Brown

Journal: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) 2020;69():110548

PMID: 31563019

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Patients with head and neck cancer experience many problems with eating which make them at high risk of malnutrition. Pre-habilitation swallowing exercises as overseen by a speech pathologist can improve swallowing function. A multidisciplinary approach to care, including effective nutritional screening, assessment and intervention has demonstrated improved outcomes in terms of meet nutritional requirements, improved nutritional status and quality of life. Nutritional recommendations are 1.2-1.5 g protein per kilogram per day and 125kJ/kg body weight per day but as these are guides close monitoring of intake and weight is important. Multidisciplinary teams and telehealth have shown better outcomes for nutrition and swallowing status for head and neck cancer patients and ongoing support is required for best patient care.

Address: Department of Nursing and Nutrition, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Nyborg, Denmark; Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia.; Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; Division of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health, Queensland Health, Australia; Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health, Queensland Health, Australia; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.

DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2019.06.028

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MeSH Terms: Deglutition, Deglutition Disorders, Diet, Healthy, Exercise Therapy, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Humans, Malnutrition, Nutrition Assessment, Nutrition Policy, Nutritional Status, Quality of Life, Speech Therapy