The effect of early oral nutritional supplements on improving nutritional outcomes and radiation-induced oral mucositis for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Background: To explore the value of early oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed II-IVA stage NPC were analyzed and divided into Early and Routine ONS groups according to whether they received early ONS at the beginning of CCRT. Changes in nutritional indicators, incidence of treatment-related toxicity, radiation interruption, and completion of CCRT were compared.

Anxiety and depression status prior to radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its effect on acute radiation toxicities.

Objective: The objective of this work is to explore anxiety and depression status prior to radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its effect on acute radiation toxicities.

Methods: A total of 267 NPC patients were enrolled between August 2013 and September 2016. The anxiety and depression status of the patients prior to radiotherapy was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.