Pre - and Post - Chemoradiotherapy Nutritional Evaluation in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Comprehensive Analysis of Laboratory and Anthropometric Parameters

Objective: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of head and neck cancer patients before and after chemoradiotherapy, utilizing a comprehensive evaluation of laboratory and anthropometric parameters. Methods: A cohort of 75 patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer were included in this prospective study. Laboratory parameters including hemoglobin levels, total leukocyte count (TLC), blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum bilirubin were measured before and after treatment. Anthropometric parameters, encompassing Body Mass Index (BMI), Skin Fold Thickness (SFT), % Body Fat, Mid -arm Circumference (MAC), Patient -generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG -SGA) Class, and Nutritional Risk Indicator (NRI), were also evaluated. Correlations between SFT and various factors were examined. Results: Significant alterations in laboratory parameters were observed post -treatment, with notable shifts in hemoglobin levels (p = 0.001), TLC (p = 0.021), and blood urea levels (p = 0.0003). However, serum creatinine and bilirubin levels exhibited no statistically significant changes. Among the anthropometric parameters, SFT demonstrated a substantial decrease post -treatment (p = 0.0001), while other metrics such as BMI, % Body Fat, MAC, PG -SGA Class, and NRI showed no significant variations. Conclusion: This study highlights the dynamic nature of nutritional markers in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. While laboratory parameters such as hemoglobin, TLC, and blood urea showed substantial shifts, anthropometric measures displayed more nuanced changes. The correlation analysis indicated that age, sex, patient habits, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, dietary habits, nature of complaints, stage (AJCC), and duration of treatment did not significantly impact SFT before and after treatment. These findings underscore the importance of tailored nutritional interventions to address the diverse needs of this patient population, with potential implications for treatment outcomes and overall quality of life.