Patients with HPV‐associated oropharyngeal head and neck cancer have higher rates of weight loss and increased supportive needs

• Published in: Journal of medical radiation sciences Vol. 66; no. 4; pp. 226 - 228
• Main Author: Brown, Teresa E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-12-2019; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Adaptation; Cancer therapies; Clinical outcomes; Dysphagia; Enteral nutrition; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Head and Neck Neoplasms - virology; Health care access; Humans; Malnutrition; Medical prognosis; Nutrition; Ostomy; Palliative Care; Papillomaviridae - physiology; Patients; Qualitative research; Quality of life; Radiation therapy; Risk; Studies; Surgery; Tumors; Weight Loss - radiation effects
• ISSN: 2051-3895; 2051-3909
• DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.360

This editorial discusses the new evidence coming to light that patients with HPV‐associated head and neck cancer are at increased risk of nutritional decline during treatment, with increased weight loss and higher need for tube feeding. Due to the anticipated epidemic of this particular disease, there is an ongoing need for research to ensure nutrition care outcomes and supportive care needs are optimised in this sub group, which will improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient quality of life.