Malnutrition in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer--prevalence and relationship with oral symptoms: an explorative study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess prevalence of malnutrition after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer and to explore how oral symptoms relate to malnutrition after treatment.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, malnutrition (weight loss ≥ 10% in 6 months or ≥ 5% in 1 month), oral symptoms (EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire and additional questions to assess chewing problems), dental status, trismus and dietary intake were assessed in 116 adult patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer.

Results: Prevalence of malnutrition was 16% (95%CI: 10% to 23%).

Malnutrition and quality of life in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: This study assessed whether malnourished patients score lower on quality of life after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer.

Methods: Malnutrition (weight loss ≥ 10% in 6 months/ ≥ 5% in 1 month) and quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 questionnaire) were assessed cross-sectionally in patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. The interval after treatment varied from 1 day to 3 years.

Oral symptoms and functional outcome related to oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess: (1) oral symptoms of patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer; (2) how patients rank the burden of oral symptoms; (3) the impact of the tumor, the treatment, and oral symptoms on functional outcome.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer were asked about their oral symptoms related to mouth opening, dental status, oral sensory function, tongue mobility, salivary function, and pain. They were asked to rank these oral symptoms according to the degree of burden experienced.

Critical weight loss in head and neck cancer--prevalence and risk factors at diagnosis: an explorative study.

Goals Of Work: Critical weight loss (> or =5% in 1 month or > or =10% in 6 months) is a common phenomenon in head and neck cancer patients. It is unknown which complaints are most strongly related to critical weight loss in head and neck cancer patients at the time of diagnosis. The aim of this explorative study was to assess the prevalence of critical weight loss and to analyze risk factors for critical weight loss in head and neck cancer patients before treatment.