Jon Arne Sandmael1,2, Kari Sand3, Asta Bye4,5, Tora Skeidsvoll Solheim3,6, Line Oldervoll1,2, Anne-Sofie Helvik7,8. 1. LHL-Clinics, The Norwegian Heart and Lung Association, Røros, Norway. 2. Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. 3. Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. 4. Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMET-Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway. 5. European Palliative Care Research Centre, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. 6. Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. 7. General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. 8. Clinic of Ear-Nose-Throat, Eye and Maxillofacial Surgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract
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.
RCT Entities:
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.
Authors: Kelsey L Corrigan; Brian De; Michael K Rooney; Ethan B Ludmir; Prajnan Das; Grace L Smith; Cullen M Taniguchi; Bruce D Minsky; Eugene J Koay; Albert C Koong; Emma B Holliday Journal: Adv Radiat Oncol Date: 2022-04-30
Authors: Marianne Boll Kristensen; Irene Wessel; Anne Marie Beck; Karin B Dieperink; Tina Broby Mikkelsen; Jens-Jakob Kjer Møller; Ann-Dorthe Zwisler Journal: Nutr J Date: 2020-03-17 Impact factor: 3.271
Authors: Asta Bye; Jon A Sandmael; Guro B Stene; Lene Thorsen; Trude R Balstad; Tora S Solheim; Are Hugo Pripp; Line M Oldervoll Journal: Nutrients Date: 2020-10-22 Impact factor: 5.717