title: Nutritional concepts in the treatment of head and neck malignancies.
abstract: Cancer cachexia should no longer be a contraindication to adequate antineoplastic treatment. Current methods of nutritional assessment allow one to identify malnutrition and to follow the nutritional status of the patient throughout the cancer-management program. Enteral nutritional repletion and maintenance remain the ideal course of action, but the gastrointestinal tract is not always readily available or advisable for use; in such circumstances, intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) may be indicated. The properly nourished patient better tolerates cancer therapy, experiences fewer complications of malnutrition (e.g., sepsis and poor wound healing), and has a better-functioning immune system than does his malnourished counterpart. This article reviews methods of nutritional assessment, delineates indications and techniques for nutritional repletion, and summarizes the results obtained.
mesh_terms: D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects; D010808:Physical Examination; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins