2083V - Novel Nutrition Products and Strategies For Head & Neck Cancer Patients Experiencing Dysphagia

Adequate nutrition is crucial for all cancer patients undergoing treatment by helping boost immune function, supporting lean body mass and reducing the risk of treatment delays. Within the Head & Neck Cancer (HNC) population, maintaining adequate nutrition is significantly more difficult to achieve given the high incidence of dysphagia in this patient population. In this session, we will review the unique nutritional challenges that Head & Neck Cancer patients face and how we (the dietitians) manage these challenges. You will learn how malnutrition is determined and when/if alternative means of nutrition, such as G-tubes, are indicated. We will also discuss products used orally and enterally to meet HNC patients’ energy needs.