Study of Nutrition Regimens in Treating Patients With Cancer of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract

RATIONALE: It is not yet known which regimen of enteral nutrition is more effective in preventing infections in patients undergoing surgery for cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is comparing three nutrition regimens in treating patients with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract.

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Determine the efficacy of immunonutrition (IMPACT®) in patients with de novo cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. Secondary * Determine the best time to initiate treatment. * Compare the intermediate duration of treatment. * Compare nutritional parameters. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients receive standard oral or enteral nutrition (IMPACT® placebo) over 7 days prior to surgery and over 7 days after surgery. * Arm II: Patients receive oral or enteral neoadjuvant IMPACT® nutrition over 7 days prior to surgery and enteral adjuvant standard nutrition (IMPACT® placebo) over 7 days after surgery. * Arm III: Patients receive oral or enteral IMPACT® nutrition over 7 days prior to surgery and enteral adjuvant IMPACT® nutrition over 7 days after surgery. After completion of study therapy, patients are followed at 30 days after surgery and then at 2 and 3 months.