Research

People & Contexts | Patient

Nutritional Needs and Experiences of Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Scoping Review

Published: Nov 2025

Authors

Rebekah Smith

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK

Nikolaos Efstathious

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

Stephanie Clarke

Department of Physiotherapy, Birmingham Woman's and Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK

Jodie Owen

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK

Ping Guo

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

Abstract

Objective(s):

Patients with advanced head and neck cancer (AHNC) are susceptible to malnutrition due to disease progression and side effects of cancer treatments. Current evidence on the effectiveness of nutritional interventions is limited. This scoping review aims to identify the nutritional needs and experiences of patients with AHNC and provide an overview of nutritional interventions implemented to prevent malnutrition.

Methods:

CINAHL via EBSCO, PubMed, EMBASE via OVID, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched from inception to August 2024, and articles were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria. The Joanne Briggs Institute Scoping Review Framework guided the review. The Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for Practice, and Research Recommendations (PAGER) framework was used to synthesise findings.

Results:

Of 1703 articles identified, 32 met the inclusion criteria, including 13 retrospective studies, 9 prospective studies, 7 reviews and 3 guidelines. Using the PAGER pattern chart, 4 themes were identified: (1) the use of enteral tube feeding, (2) identification and treatment of malnutrition, (3) the effects of palliative treatment on nutrition and (4) the experiences of patients and carers. Enteral feeding was the most common intervention to manage malnutrition; however, other interventions such as dietary counselling, oral nutritional supplements and parenteral nutrition were also employed. These interventions should be tailored to specific needs of the patients.

Conclusions:

Weight loss and impaired oral intake were associated with psychosocial distress affecting patients and carers. Future research is needed to explore the experiences of patients, carers and healthcare professionals regarding nutrition and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative nutritional strategies.

Access

Web link: https://doi.org/10.1177/08258597251390603

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