Nutritional experiences in head and neck cancer patients

• Published in: European journal of cancer care 2019-11, Vol.28 (6), p.e13168-n/a
• Main Authors: Sandmæl, Jon Arne, Sand, Kari, Bye, Asta, Solheim, Tora Skeidsvoll, Oldervoll, Line, Helvik, Anne‐Sofie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adverse effects; Aged; and nutrition; Attitude to Health; Cancer; Content analysis; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Enteral Nutrition; Feeding Behavior; Female; food; Food intake; Head & neck cancer; head and neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - psychology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Meals; Middle Aged; Neck Dissection - adverse effects; Norway; Nursing; Nutrient solutions; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; Nutritional Support - psychology; Nutritionists; Patients; Pilot Projects; Qualitative analysis; Qualitative Research; Radiation therapy; Radiotherapy - adverse effects; Side effects; Surgery
• ISSN: 0961-5423; 1365-2354
• DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13168

Objective Extensive research has documented the negative nutritional impact of head neck cancer (HNC) treatment, but few studies have addressed the patients' experiences. The purpose of this study was to describe how patients with HNC experience the nutritional situation and perceive nutritional support from diagnosis to the post‐treatment phase. Methods Patients with HNC were recruited from a randomised pilot study. Individual interviews were conducted after radiotherapy with 10 participants aged 49 – 70 years and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results Undergoing surgery was experienced as a poor nutritional starting point for the upcoming radiotherapy. During radiotherapy, increasing side effects made the participants customise their meals to improve food intake. About halfway through radiotherapy, virtually no food intake was experienced and hospital admissions and initiations of tube‐feeding occurred in this period. Oral nutritional supplements were recommended for all, but eventually became unbearable to ingest. When radiotherapy was finally completed, the participants felt discouraged about the persistent side effects preventing them from resume eating. The participants missed tailored information about development of side effects and involvement of a dietitian when reflecting on the treatment‐period. Conclusion The comprehensive nutritional problems experienced by patients with HNC require early nutritional assessments and improved individually tailored nutritional support.