Abstract

Background: Like other cancer patients, the patients having head and neck cancers also present with loss of weight. This may be because of cancer associated cachexia or more so because of difficulty in taking food. Hence determining the changes in anthropometric and body composition parameters assume significance not only for prognostication but also to look after the nutritional needs in these patients.

Methods: A total of seventeen cases were enrolled. Anthropometric along with body composition measurements were obtained at baseline, in the post-radiotherapy phase at 6 weeks and at 6 months of follow up period. Four patients were followed up for a period of one year.

Results: The study found that problem of malnutrition is common among head and neck cancer patients. Early in the course of disease, the fat stores are used up first and eventually there is breakdown of proteins leading to a decrease in both Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI).

Conclusions: The study findings emphasize that in head and neck cancer patients not only the cancer but also the adverse effects associated with its therapy may significantly increase the dynamics of malnutrition development in short periods of time and require adequate management.