Avaliação do estado nutricional e da qualidade de vida de pacientes portadores de neoplasias de cabeça e pescoço.

Abstract

Malignant neoplasms of the head and neck , by itself anatomic location , may entail significant changes in vital functions related to food, communication and social interaction of affected individuals , can generate important psychological and nutritional implications , both for affected patients and for their families , usually leading to some degree of dysfunction in your life. Given the complexity of factors that intervene in the lives of patients with head and neck cancer , we assessed the nutritional status and quality of life of patients with cancer of the head and neck treated by ERO project extension ( endodontics and oral rehabilitation ) . This study is cross - sectional , quantitative with primary data collection and was conducted with 15 cancer patients referred to the ERO extension project , coming from Napoleon Laureano Hospital in João Pessoa , PB . The collected data were computerized in a database in Microsoft Excel. The mean age of patients was 59 years, ranging between 44 and 76 years, with a prevalence of 86.67 % male , 73 % were married , 80 % reported a history of alcoholism and smoking . The most frequent primary tumor site was the oral cavity, especially the tongue with 5 patients ( 33.33 % ) and throat - 4 ( 26.66% ) . In th e sample studied , the most common gastrointestinal symptoms were swallowing , followed by chewing , taste and saliva, as related to patient characteristics . The very location of the tumor makes it difficult to feed the patient, and direct impact on the q uality of life of these patients occur . Regarding nutritional status , in most patients, we observed a loss of serious weight inducing a state of nutritional risk profile that this was masked by BMI . Showing that the profile of the patients is composed of malnourished patients with various gastrointestinal symptoms and average quality of life , affected by the association of physical and psychological symptoms .