Acute significant weight loss during treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer and its impact on response and survival of patients treated in a multidisciplinary team

Yulestrina Widyastuti; Kartika W. Taroeno-Hariadi

doi:10.22146/inajbcs.v57i3.Supplement.24318

Yulestrina Widyastuti Tulip Integrated Cancer Clinic, Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta
Kartika W. Taroeno-Hariadi Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/ Dr Sardjtio Hospital, Yogyakarta

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/inajbcs.v57i3.Supplement.24318

Keywords: weight loss, NPC, Nasopharyngeal cancer, NPC treatment, side effect

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a common cancer in Indonesia, often detected in advanced stages that complicate treatment. Patients usually receive induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT). Significant weight loss, defined as losing more than 5% of body weight, frequently occurs during treatment and can raise concerns. In this study, 35 patients with advanced NPC were observed to see how common this weight loss was and whether it affected treatment outcomes. Nearly half of the patients experienced significant weight loss. Interestingly, this did not affect how well patients responded
to treatment. Both those who lost weight and those who didn’t had similar treatment success. However, patients losing weight tended to have a shorter time before the cancer progressed. Due to the limited number of cases and short follow-up time, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions.. In short, while weight
loss during NPC treatment is common and worrisome, it did not clearly impact treatment effectiveness or survival in this group. More research is needed to fully understand the effects.