[Nutritional assistance to patients during radiotherapy]

With the aim of assessing the possible benefits of nutritional therapy, 140 patients were prospectively studied during radiotherapy of the head and neck (81%) and esophageal cancer (19%). Mean age was 56.0 (17-80), with 114 males and 26 females. Duration of both nutrition and radiotherapy was 78.0 +/- 45 days. Tube feeding was the primary modality in 50.7% of the population, and oral regimens in the remaining 49.3%, but associations between the methods were also used. Enteral diets were supplied under the supervision of a specialized tem for home alimentation (PROSNED). Compliance to the program was 100%, and a lymphocyte count diminished along this period (1933 +/- 1033 vs 1265 +/- 688, p. 0.001). A subjective improvement was reported by 84% of the population, and total calorie intake, that was below 60% of estimated needs in 100% of the cases initially, significantly improved to just 40% inadequate at the end of the observations. Radiotherapy was associated with mucositis in 21% of the patients, taste changes in 79%, xerostomy in 81%, anorexia in 66% and odinophagia in 59%. In the individuals selected for enteral feeding, side-effects were represented by technical problems (20%) and gastrointestinal disorders (13%). All patients completed the nutritional support program and there was no mortality in this series. It is concluded that; 1) Early nutritional support during radiotherapy was able to maintain or improve the nutritional status; 2) Tube feeding, alone or in combination with oral diets, was indicated whenever appropriate and contributed to fulfillment of the energy requirements; 3) Reduction of total lymphocytes could not be prevented by the mentioned therapy; 4) Complications of enteral alimentation were mild and affected a small proportion of the population; 5) Troubles induced by radiotherapy were as frequent as expected, and tended to disturb the intake of food; 6) The compliance to the therapeutic plan was excellent and can be attributed to the efforts of the multidisciplinary team as well as to the help of the specialized home alimentation unit (PROSNED): Diet therapy. Cancer. Nutritional assessment. Radiotherapy. Nutritional support.