Effects of oral nutritional supplement on short-term nutritional status and treatment tolerance in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving chemoradiotherapy

Objective To explore the impact of oral nutritional supplements in the local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving chemoradiotherapy. Methods From 2016 to 2018, we prospectively collected 114 patients into our study, including intervention group (n=58) and control group (n=56). Patients in the intervention group were given oral nutritional supplements from the beginning of radiotherapy, while the control group patients were receiving usual diet care. We collected data of weight, hematological index and nutrition related information before, during and after treatments. Results All patients experienced weight loss during radiotherapy. The declining trend was more obvious in intervention group but with no statistical difference (P>0.05). Radiotherapy interruption was lower, completion rate of 2 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy was higher(78% vs 64%, P=0.02)and level of total serum protein and albumin was more stable (P=0.003, 0.001) in the intervention group. No difference was found in acute toxicities between the two groups (P>0.05). During the treatment period, the nutrition risk screening score declined, more patients with NRS 2002 ≥3 in the control group than the intervention group (P 0.05). Conclusions Oral nutritional supplements can improve treatment tolerance and keep the stability of serum protein level, nevertheless, it has no obvious advantage in maintenance of weight and short-term nutritional status Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms/chemoradiotherapy; Nutrition supplement; Treatment tolerance