Evaluation of patients with head and neck cancer performing standard treatment in relation to body composition, resting metabolic rate, and inflammatory cytokines

Background Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) usually emerges as a set of signs and symptoms that, either alone or in combination with standard treatment, may lead to malnutrition and weight loss. Methods This study evaluated patients with SCCHN before day 0 and 30 days after the end of treatment, with/without tumor resection. Each individual patient underwent analyses of body composition and resting metabolic rate, as well as assessment of serum glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, and insulin sensitivity. Results There was body mass loss during treatment and significant reduction in body fat and free fat mass. Early nutritional monitoring and tumor resection before treatment led to a better nutritional status and reduced inflammatory state. Conclusion Early nutritional monitoring and resection of the tumor by surgery may be important factors for patients to better tolerate treatment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 97–102, 2015