Role of nutritional therapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients in improving nutritional indices- a prospective study

Cancer-related malnutrition is an often overlooked and undertreated symptom in cancer-affected patients despite approximately 10-20% of deaths occurring from malnutrition in cancer suffering patients. Various body measurements have been used to diagnose malnutrition and concomitant sarcopenia. Nutritional indices have been shown to have prognostic value in various types of cancer. in this study, we want to assess the of nutritional indices in patients suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma and the role of nutritional therapy following treatment. We will achieve this by performing a preoperative nutritional assessment using questionnaires (Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA)), anthropometric measurements and nutritional indices (PNI, NRI, SII) (calculated using serum albumin, peripheral blood samples, and the previously measured anthropometric data), we will also check for serum albumin and C-reactive protein levels pre-treatment. Post treatment, participants will be provided with a nutritional regimen and appropriate oral nutritional supplements (ONS). There will be two follow-ups, at 3 months and 6 months, where the assessments will be done in a similar manner as preoperatively. Additionally, clinical interview will be conducted and additional questionnaires (the head and neck symptom checklist and EORTC QLQ C30) will be administered to assess quality of life. The results will provide us with insight on the role of nutritional therapy in improving prognostic nutritional indices post oral squamous cell carcinoma treatment. The study will take place over a course of 2 and half years, with the participants being chosen from among the patients reporting to the Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology by simple random sampling.