Regular nutritional monitoring in pediatric cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a prospective observational pilot study.

Creative Commons License

Gül D., Özdaş F. E., Eker N., Özgen Z., Tutar E., Atasoy B. M.

Frontiers in oncology, cilt.16, sa.1, ss.1752703, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 16 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1752703
  • Dergi Adı: Frontiers in oncology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1752703
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: This pilot study aimed to explore the possible effects of regular,

ongoing nutritional monitoring on dietary status, treatment results, and quality

of life in pediatric cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The study also sought to

assess the potential role of caregiver nutritional support during treatment.

Materials and methods: Anthropometric measures, including weight, height,

body mass index z-score (BMI), and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC),

were recorded for 15 patients. Individual nutritional plans, the quality of

caregiver-provided nutritional support, and inflammatory parameters were

assessed weekly during radiotherapy. Quality of life was measured using a

validated questionnaire at the beginning and end of radiotherapy.

Results: More than one-third of patients were malnourished prior to radiotherapy.

A decline was observed, especially in the fourth week of radiotherapy, for weight

(p = 0.016), BMI (p = 0.013), and MUAC (p = 0.081). The albumin-to-globulin ratio

(AGR) (p = 0.004) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (p = 0.013) peaked at the

same time. Caregiver nutritional support scores (p = 0.026) and quality-of-life

scores (p = 0.037) were lower in patients who experienced weight loss during

radiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 13 months (range 9–16 months).

Progression-free survival showed a non-significant trend in patients without

weight loss [85.7% (95% CI, 42–99%) vs. 70% (95% CI, 35–93%), p = 0.590] and

was significantly better in patients who began radiotherapy without malnutrition

[100% (95% CI, 66–100%) vs. 50% (95% CI, 12–88%), p = 0.019].

Conclusion: Our initial findings suggest that regular nutritional monitoring may be

a part of treatment plans, not just supportive care, for pediatric patients

undergoing radiotherapy. Further research involving larger patient populations

should be conducted to establish high-quality evidence on this topic.