Formulation of the Best Practice Evidence-Based Nutrition Management Protocol for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy

Objective To formulate a nutrition management protocol and processes for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Methods A nutrition management protocol and the process for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy were formulated on the basis of literature review and the Delphi expert consensus method.

Results Literature analysis and two rounds of Delphi expert consultations via correspondence were conducted. The final protocol subsequently derived included 7 first-level items and 36 second-level items. The first-level items included the establishment of a nutrition management team, nutritional risk screening and nutritional status assessment, health education, the timing and method of nutritional treatment, energy and nutrient supply, nutritional monitoring, and follow-up after discharge. After summarizing the best evidence for the nutritional management protocol and classifying the evidence by different grades, the construction process of the nutrition management team and the nutrition management processes for the pre-cancer treatment period, the tumor treatment period, and the post-discharge follow-up period were formulated.

Conclusion The nutritional management protocol and the relevant processes for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy formulated in this study demonstrate a certain level of scientific validity and reliability and can be further tested and applied in clinical practice.