Head and neck cancer
Evidence-based practice guidelines for the nutritional management of adult patients with head and neck cancer
Malnutrition is common in patients with head and neck cancer, with the causes of malnutrition being multifactorial. Specialist dietitians from Australia, who were working with patients with head and neck cancer, had identified inconsistencies in dietetic practice and the need for a uniform model of nutritional care for this complex patient group. Hence, the Evidence Based Guidelines for the Nutritional Management of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer have been developed by a working party of dietitians in consultation with a multidisciplinary steering committee which included consumer representation. Members of the committees were invited to contribute to the project based on their clinical and research expertise in head and neck cancer and their experience in guideline development. The project was undertaken in partnership with the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia with a sponsorship grant received from the Cancer Institute NSW Oncology Group (Head and Neck).