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Nutrition Support and Therapy in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Current Gastroenterology Reports volume 14, pages 349–355 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) present a unique set of challenges in both the treatment of the disease and in support of the patient afflicted with the cancer. A major challenge is the nutritional support of these patients. Often, patients with HNSCC are malnourished at baseline due to an underlying dysphagia. Many others develop dysphagia as a result of their surgical resection and external beam radiation therapy. This dysphagia further exacerbates the chronic dehydration and malnutrition. This article will review strategies to provide nutritional support to HNSCC patients and also to review nutritional strategies that may decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with HNSCC treatment.

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Affiliations

  1. Legacy Emanuel Trauma Services, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, 2801 North Gantenbein Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227, USA

    Arvin C. Gee

  2. Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Laszlo Kiraly & Robert Martindale

  3. Madigan Healthcare System, Tacoma, WA, 98431, USA

    Mary S. McCarthy

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  1. Arvin C. Gee
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  2. Laszlo Kiraly
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Gee, A.C., Kiraly, L., McCarthy, M.S. et al. Nutrition Support and Therapy in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 14, 349–355 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-012-0273-5

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Keywords

  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
  • Nutrition support
  • Nutrition in head and neck cancer