To explore the effects of multidisciplinary team (MDT) nutrition management on the nutritional and toxicity status of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

A total of 104 patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma admitted to our hospital from July 2018 to February 2021 were retrospectively enrolled, including who received conventional nutrition management (the routine group, n=52) and who received MDT nutrition management (the experimental group, n=52). Nutritional indicators [dietary intake, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (ALB), serum prealbumin (PAB), haemoglobin (Hb), lymphocyte count (TLC), serum transfer ferritin (TRF)], the NRS2002 score and acute toxicity level were recorded before, during and after chemoradiotherapy. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify nutritional risk indicators.

During and after chemoradiotherapy, the BMI, ALB, PAB, Hb, TLC, TRF, dietary intake, number of patients with an NRS2002 score<3, and acute toxicity score in the experimental group improved compared to those in the conventional group (P<0.05). Concurrent chemotherapy, the NRS2002 score and a half-diet strategy were independent factors affecting the nutritional status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy.

Active screening and evaluation of the nutritional status of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma during chemoradiotherapy as well as MDT nutrition management can be used to detect nutritional problems, thus improving quality of life and reducing related toxicity.