A study by Zhan and colleagues from the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, Albuquerque evaluated the relationship of caloric and protein intake to the severity of oral mucositis in 40 patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy over 2 years.
The researchers found that patients who met protein-related goals during radiotherapy had less severe oral mucositis. This was the only nutritional factor that effected the severity of mucostis. They recommended that patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation get nutritional counseling during radiotherapy, with emphasis on protein.
The study was published in Head Neck in Jun 2011.
