Objective To investigate the effect of whole-course nutrition support on nutritional status of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods We randomly divided 96 locally advanced NPC patients into the experimental group (whole-course nutrition support combined concurrent chemoradiotherapy, n=45) and the control group (only concurrent chemoradiotherapy, n=45). PG-SGA questionnaire, the anthropometry measurements, hematological indexes and acute radiology reactions were used to observe the nutritional status of NPC patients and analyzed the effect of whole-course nutrition support on nutritional status.

Results PA and Hb of control group were significantly declined and Hb was significantly lower than that of the experimental group at the 2^nd week of radiotherapy. At the 4^th week of radiotherapy, the weight of control group were significantly lower than that before radiotherapy, and the weight, BMI, TP, ALB and PA of the experimental group were higher than those in control group. PG-SGA score and the incidence of severe malnutrition of control group were significantly higher than those of the experimental group at the end of radiotherapy. The grading of myelosuppression, oral mucositis and dysphagia of control group were significantly higher than those of the experimental group during radiotherapy.

Conclusion Whole-course nutrition support can significantly retard the weight loss and the sustained decline in hematological indexes, reduce the acute radiation reactions, and then effectively improve the nutritional status and reduce the incidence of severe malnutrition of locally advanced NPC patients.