Dietary information after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer

After completed radiotherapy, 24 in-patients and 25 out-patients were randomized to either tailored dietary information and instruction by a clinical nutritionist or regular dietary information from a nurse. At the six weeks followup examination the incidence of malnutrition, as evaluated by anthropometry and routine blood analyses, was lower among the patients who had been given intensive information than those who had received regulation information. Out-patients lost more weight than in-patients did. The in-patients randomized to intensive dietary information were the only ones who did not lose weight. This study indicates a beneficial effect of intensive dietary advise in order to improve nutritional status after radiation treatment. 14 refs., 4 tabs