INCIDENCE AND CAUSES OF HOSPITALIZATION AMONG HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS TREATED IN THE RADIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT

Many patients with primary head and neck cancer (HNC) are treated with non-surgical techniques, primarily radiotherapy (RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Although these treatments have improved overall survival, they can cause significant toxicities leading to hospitalization. This retrospective study analyzed 69 patients with otorhinolaryngological (ORL) cancers hospitalized in the Radiotherapy Department of the National Institute of Oncology, Rabat, between March 2022 and March 2024. The majority were male (60%) with a mean age of 50.5 years. Tumor sites included the nasopharynx (50%), oral cavity (20%), and larynx (13%). Common risk factors were smoking (37.5%) and alcohol consumption (17%). The main reasons for hospitalization were malnutrition secondary to dysphagia (56%) and radiotherapy related toxicities such as radiomucositis and radiodermatitis. Patient management included parenteral nutrition (50%), PEG tube placement (10%), transfusions (13%), and supportive care for pain, hydration, corticosteroid therapy, and infections. The mean hospital stay was 15 days.