Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Nursing care and nutritional status in head and neck cancer
Meltem Dağdelen1, Muhammed Veysel Hekim1, Tuba Kurt Catal2
1Radiation Oncology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate factors affecting nutrition and weight loss in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy (RT) and investigate the effect of nurse-led support on symptom management.
Methods:
Fifty patients with histologically confirmed HNC receiving definitive or postoperative RT were prospectively enrolled and monitored by a clinical nurse throughout treatment and follow-up (study group). Nutritional intake and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were recorded. A control group of 45 matched patients without nurse follow-up was recruited for comparison.
Results:
At treatment completion, the study group had a mean weight loss of 3.0 kg (4.35%) vs 5.2 kg (6.9%) in the control group (p=0.03). Moderate dysphagia occurred in 42% of the study group and 62% of the control group (p=0.04). Grade 3 toxicities were 10% more frequent in the control group.
Conclusion:
Nurse-led follow-up significantly improved nutritional outcomes and reduced treatment-related side effects in patients with HNC. These results highlight the value of nursing care in supporting treatment adherence and enhancing multidisciplinary cancer care.
Related Concept Videos
Nursing Ethical Principles II
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
