Abstract
Patients with head and neck cancer are predominantly at the risk for malnutrition. Monitoring of nutritional status and pre-treatment variables can favorably observe many prognostic indicators for overall survival in head and neck cancer before and during oncological treatment up to three years in head and neck cancer patients.
In 726 patients diagnosed head and neck cancer patients with curative intent, were collected data according to the monitoring scheme of observation. As a clinical important of uninteded weight loss was defined weight loss in input.
Differences in groups were analysed by Cox's regression with adjustments for important demografic and tumor-related data. The acceptance of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was a key factor for less complications and to improve tolerance of anticancer treatment.
Men-smokers have the highest risk of cardiovascular mortality. Men-stop-smokers have the most significant life extension of 11 to 22 months.
Men-non-smokers have a life extension of 15 to 23 months and having its lowest cardiovascular mortality. Women tolerance cancer better, have minor subjective complaints and a lower number of complications but significantly higher consumption of antidepressants.
While men have higher analgesic consumption. Weight loss significantly correlates with the clinical manifestations of malnutrition and is associated with an increase in complications and mortality dependent cancer.
Consistent assessment of nutritional status with early intervention is considered as essential part of comprehensive anticancer treatment. An independent risk factor for cancer-dependent mortality is considered weight loss.