The effect of individual nutritional support and nurse follow-up on weight loss during radiotherapy in cancer patients

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients receiving definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy with head and neck, pelvic, thoracic and intraabdominal tumors and to determine their weight loss. Methods: 40 patients admitted to the radiation oncology outpatient clinic since 01.11.2015 and planned; head, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic radiotherapy, were included in the study. The patients were evaluated before the treatment and in addition to the daily nutrition of the patients, special nutritional support was provided as 35 kcal/kg energy, 2gr/kg protein and 15 mg glutamine daily. The weight loss of the patients evaluated by radiation oncologists and nurses was recorded. Results: The mean age was 61 years (range, 39-86 years). 9 patients with lung cancer were over 70 years old and had definitive radiotherapy. All patients underwent radiotherapy treatment without interrupting treatment, except for an 86-year-old patient scheduled for adjuvant therapy with gastric cancer and two patients with lung cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy. 72% of the patients continued their nutritional support during the entire treatment. When weight loss was evaluated, only 8% of patients had more than 10% weight loss. According to nutritional support, weight loss rates were found to be significantly lower in patients who fully applied for nutritional support (p: 0.003). Conclusion: Early and intense nutritional support of cancer patients with risk of malnutrition may lead to less weight loss during radiotherapy.