Abstract: Background and purpose: Weight loss and malnutrition are very common in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), leading to impaired curative effect of the therapy and the quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to examine the effect of intensive nutrition counseling and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on nutritional status and QOL. Methods: A prospective, randomized and comparative study was performed from Jun. 2014 to Dec. 2015 at two centers (n=64). The ONS group was given the intensive nutrition and ONS, whereas the control was given the usual care. Body composition parameters were obtained weekly from baseline until the end of treatment. The nutritional status of all patients was evaluated by the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA). Results: There was significant deterioration in body composition parameters, PG-SGA value and QOL during CCRT, and the ONS group is better than the control group (P>0.05). Fat-free mass index (FFMI) and skeletal muscle mass (SM) were significantly better in patients with ONS intake >2/3 planed than in the control group (P<0.05). The ONS intake >2/3 planed group had better mean value in global QOL, nausea and vomiting, pain, and constipation (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we have shown that intensive nutrition counseling and ONS may be beneficial to NPC patients with enough supplements intake during CCRT.

Key words: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Concurrent chemoradiotherapy, Body composition, Oral nutritional supplements