Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Contemporary Nutrition Care Practices and Outcomes in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy A Decade After Implementation of an Evidence-Based Model of Care (146359)

Amy OHalloran 1 , Sarah Davies 1 , Anthony Liang 1 2 , Raymond Wu 1 , Anastasia Volovets 3 , Gillian Heller 1 4 , Merran Findlay 1 5 6
  1. Chris O Brien Lifehouse, Bondi, NSW, Australia
  2. Cancer Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Gastroenterology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
  5. Maridulu Budyari Gumal (SPHERE) Cancer Clinical Academic Group, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
  6. Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW

Aims:

To describe contemporary nutrition care practices and outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy (RT), a decade after implementation of an evidence-based nutrition model of care.

 

Methods:

A retrospective audit of consecutive patients receiving curative-intent adjuvant or definitive RT ± systemic therapy at a quaternary HNC centre (January 2023-December 2024) was undertaken. Patient, tumour and treatment characteristics; evidence-based guideline (EBG)-recommended nutrition care processes, interventions, clinical outcomes and health service utilisation were extracted from electronic medical records into REDCap. Adherence to EBG recommendations was classified as met (≥80%), partially met (50–<80%) or not met (<50%). Descriptive statistics summarised practices and outcomes, while comparative analyses assessed associated clinical and service factors.

 

Results:

The cohort comprised 151 patients (74% male, mean (SD) age 62 (15) years, 78% stage III-IV). Common tumour sites were oral cavity (36%), oropharynx (25%) and nasopharynx (12%). Treatment included adjuvant RT (32%), definitive chemoRT (30%) and adjuvant chemoRT (15%). EBG adherence was met for early nutrition assessment (91.4%) and partially met for weekly review (58.3%) with high weekly coverage (78-94%). Validated nutrition assessment tool use was met at baseline (81%) but not mid-RT (31%) or end-RT (45%). Enteral nutrition was required by 39% (85% prophylactic gastrostomy). Median (Q1, Q3) weight change (%) was -6 (-10, -2) during RT and -8 (-13, -4) by third review post-RT. Advanced disease stage and malnutrition were associated with increased service utilisation (IRR 1.50 and 1.59–2.93, respectively; both p<0.001). Unplanned admission occurred in 21% (11% nutrition/hydration-related); those admitted required more dietetic occasions of service: median (Q1, Q3) 16 (10, 22) versus 12 (8, 17).

 

Conclusion:

Contemporary nutrition care demonstrated high adherence to EBG-recommended early assessment, use of validated nutrition assessment and responsive service delivery according to need, while identifying areas for service improvement during and following RT.