Assistência nutricional durante o tratamento de câncer de cabeça e pescoço: um relato de caso

Abstract

Cancer is a group of over one hundred diseases that have in common the disordered growth of cells that can invade tissues or organs. Head and neck cancer can cause many signs and symptoms, including dysphagia, difficulty opening your mouth completely and moving your tongue, weight loss, hyporexia, ear pain, and coughing up blood. These patients are one of the most vulnerable group in terms of malnutrition and the development of symptoms with nutritional impact before, during and after treatment. The aim of this study was to report descriptively the case of a patient with head and neck cancer, evaluating the impact of nutritional assistance during treatment and his clinical evolution. Data were collected at the Oncology Center of Hospital Sírio Libanês located in Brasília, Federal District. The patient was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer and under chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. During treatment, he had severe weight loss, muscle and fat loss, hyporexia and was diagnosed with severe malnutrition. Oral nutritional therapy with hyperproteic and hypercaloric supplementation was prescribed. However, the patient didn’t present good acceptance and was not able to achieve their nutritional needs throughout treatment. Due to the treatment imposed and the natural pathological process, malnutrition and inadequate nutrient intake are common in these patients, and nutrition is essential in maintaining and / or recovering nutritional status. Diet therapy is essential throughout the treatment, as it is able to minimize the symptoms of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, increase the effectiveness of treatment, provide better quality of life and clinical prognosis.