Head and Neck Cancers

Dr. Bedriye DOĞAN1

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru ATASEVER AKKAŞ2

1İnönü University, Turgut Özal Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Malatya, Türkiye
2University of Health Sciences, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtarslan Ankara Oncology Research and Training Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ankara, Türkiye

ABSTRACT

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are a group of different types of cancer that vary significantly in geographic location and demographic characteristics. The incidence of HNCs are increasing day by day in different local- izations of this region, depending on risk factors. Although the possibility of complications is high, survival rates are also low due to the anatomical difficulties of the region in which they are located, their close contact with risky organs around them, and the fact that they are generally treated with combinations of different treatment modalities. Although many factors play a role in its etiology, smoking, alcohol consumption, and nutritional habits are considered to be the most important modifiable risk factors. In addition, epidemiological evidence associates low dietary antioxidant intake with an increased risk of squamous cell HNCs, specifically. The mechanisms underlying these relationships are complex. There are a number of compounds in plant foods that may influence cancer risk, including both micronutrients for normal metabolism and other bioactive compounds of unknown metabolic importance. Therefore, whether dietary supplements containing micronu- trients found in plant foods can be effective chemopreventive agents is an important issue. Since HNCs are accompanied by chewing and swallowing disorders due to location, inadequate and unbalanced nutrition is more common, and the risk of malnutrition is higher in this patient group. Malnutrition negatively affects the treatment process, local control, and survival rates of patients. HNC patients are at high risk for malnutrition even after completion of their treatment. Essential nutritional support must be provided to this patient group through oral, parenteral, or enteral routes. In addition, vitamins A, D, E, B complex and C, and minerals such as zinc, selenium, and magnesium, which have shown antioxidant, radioprotectant, and antitumoral activities in healthy people and patients with HNCs, should be supplemented. Numerous in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated the positive effects of various vitamins and minerals on angiogenesis, immunity, cell differenti- ation, proliferation and apoptosis. With these antioxidant micronutrient supplements, the incidence of cancer development and side effects such as firstly dry mouth and mucositis due to radiotherapy can be reduced, and the effectiveness of treatment, response rate, and survival can be increased.

Keywords: Head and neck cancers; Radiotherapy; Micronutrients; Vitamins; Minerals

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