Mixed

Concurrent chemoradiation (CCR) in head and neck cancer patients induces rapid lean body mass (LBM) loss and physical functional decline, driven by an inflammatory state rather than caloric deficit.

For patients undergoing head and neck cancer treatment, standard high-calorie nutritional supplements may not prevent muscle loss because the treatment triggers an inflammatory metabolic shift. Focus on preserving muscle through targeted anti-inflammatory strategies and physical activity support, rather than just increasing caloric intake, as the body is actively catabolizing lean tissue despite adequate food consumption.