Parenteral nutrition in patients with head and neck cancer: techniques and results.

Abstract

Protein-calorie malnutrition occurs commonly in patients with head and neck cancers, secondary to poor dietary habits and oncologic treatments that compromise further a patient's ability to ingest adequate nutrients. Intravenous nutritional support of 70 patients with head and neck malignancies has allowed weight gain, improved wound healing, and increased serum protein levels during radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and in the perioperative period.