The purpose of this study is to define the role of total body composition in the guidance of nutritional support and treatment monitoring in head and neck patients. Furthermore, the second aim of this study is to compare the clinical performance of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry as compared to CT in evaluating total body composition of patients.
In this 4-year cohort study, a total of 120 patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) patient undergoing concurrent chemo-radiotherapy will be enrolled. Laboratory examination will be performed to evaluate the physiological change and treatment related toxicity, including BUN and Cr for hydration and renal function; complete blood cell and differential count, pre-albumin and albumin for nutrition, and C-reactive protein for inflammatory change. Both CT and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) will be used to evaluate total body composition. CT is used to evaluate surface area of fat and muscle, and DXA is used to evaluate lean body mass, fat body mass and bone mineral content. MRI of the head and neck region is used for tumor staging of the head and neck cancer, monitoring the treatment response and detecting treatment related adverse effect.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
120
Imaging by CT and densitometry, no intervention involved
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Guishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
RECRUITINGAlterations of the total body composition
Determine the alterations of total body composition in response to physiological change during the course of the cancer treatment, thus allowing clinicians to understand the optimal time for administering additional nutritional support during the CCRT treatment.
Time frame: 3 years
Comparison of densitometry with CT
To compare the performance of densitometry to CT in the evaluation of total body composition as a marker for monitoring cancer treatment related changes.
Time frame: 3 years
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