Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a structured nutritional intervention using a high-energy, standardized diet based on natural foods.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-arm, self-controlled clinical intervention in 32 patients with stage II–IV esophageal cancer or hypopharyngeal–laryngeal cancer receiving chemotherapy at Hue Central Hospital from May 2024 to July 2025. Patients received enteral feeding via gastrostomy using a standardized high-energy blended soup formula to meet target nutritional requirements of 25–30 kcal/kg/day and 1.0–1.5 g protein/kg/day. Outcomes were assessed before the intervention (T0) and after the intervention period (T1).

Results: At baseline (T0), malnutrition was highly prevalent, with 87.5% of patients classified as PG-SGA B or C. After the intervention (T1), mean body weight increased by 1.46 ± 1.23 kg and BMI improved from 18.11 ± 2.499 to 18.65 ± 2.47, both statistically significant (p < 0.001). Serum albumin increased by 2.76 ± 2.72 g/L (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients meeting the recommended energy intake (>30 kcal/kg/day) rose from 59.4% to 87.5%. Multivariable logistic regression identified cumulative chemotherapy exposure (≥4 cycles) as an independent risk factor for severe malnutrition (OR = 3.43; p = 0.042).

Conclusions: A structured nutritional intervention using a standardized high-energy blended diet delivered via gastrostomy is feasible and effective, significantly improving nutritional status, attenuating weight loss, and increasing protein reserves in chemotherapy patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancers. This approach is cost-effective, practical, and well suited for resource-limited healthcare settings.