Changes in Nutritional Status of Cancer Patients Undergoing Proton Radiation Therapy Based on Real-World Data. (14th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Menglin; Zhu, Yue; Ju, Yinghui; Long, Tengfei; Jin, Lingtai; Zhang, Jin; Zhao, Yangyu; Wang, Honglian; Wu, Rui
• Other Names: Jakovljevic Mihajlo Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of healthcare engineering. Volume 2023(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-14
• Subjects: Hospital buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1155/2023/9260747
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-2295

Abstract

Abstract : Background and Aim . Patients with cancer are at high risk of malnutrition. Radiation is critical for tumor control but may also exacerbate malnutrition. Proton radiotherapy is a technological advanced radiotherapy which has advantage over conventional radiotherapy in the reduction of toxicity and the improvement of clinical outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of proton radiotherapy on the nutritional status of cancer patients. Methods . Observational study on 47 adult hospitalized cancer patients including 27 males and 20 females who received proton beam radiotherapy during December 2021 and August 2022. Nutritional assessments, 24 h dietary survey, handgrip strength (HGS) test, anthropometrical measurements, and hematological parameters were conducted or collected at the beginning and the completion of treatment. Results . The rate of nutritional risk and malnutrition among the total of 47 enrolled patients was 4.3% and 12.8% at the onset of proton radiation and raised up to 6.4% and 27.7% at the end of the treatment. 42.6% of patients experienced weight loss during the proton radiotherapy, and 1 of them had weight loss over 5%, and in general, the average body weight was stable over radiotherapy. The changes in patients' 24 h dietary intakes, HGS, and anthropometrical parameters, including triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), midupper arm circumference (MUAC), and midupper arm muscle circumference (MAMC), were statistically insignificant over the treatment (all p values > 0.05). The changes in patients' hematological parameters, including total protein (TP) and serum albumin (ALB), were not statistically significant over the treatment (all p values >0.05), and the level of hemoglobin (HGB) at the end of treatment was higher than that at the onset (p < 0.05 ). Conclusion . The results of this study demonstrated that proton radiotherapy might have a lighter effect on the nutritional status of cancer patients.