Radiotherapy plays a crucial role in cancer treatment. Especially in the past decade, with the rise of immunotherapy and the verification of combined clinical trials between immunity and radiotherapy, many experts agree with the viewpoint that radiotherapy can enhance the overall efficacy of immunotherapy (Yuze et al., 2024). However, radiotherapy not only damages cancer cells, but also may affect surrounding healthy tissues, causing a series of side effects, such as genetic mutations induced by radiotherapy (Christian Nicolaj and Jan, 2009), radiation dermatitis (Xiaomeng et al., 2024), thyroid diseases caused by radiotherapy (Barbara et al., 2004), and chronic pain (Xuzheng et al., 2024). Among these side effects, in addition to significant changes in skin and visceral functions, the impact on the nutritional status of tumor patients is relatively easy to be ignored (Peng et al., 2024). In areas such as the gastrointestinal tract and head and neck, radiation can lead to mucositis, inflammation, and ulceration (Charlott et al., 2024), which may further cause dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (Charlott et al., 2024). These side effects can seriously affect food intake and nutrient absorption, potentially leading to malnutrition. Malnutrition in cancer patients is associated with poor treatment outcomes, decreased quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality (Karolina et al., 2024, Mariana Maroso Molina et al., 2024, Fawzy et al., 2024). It may impair the immune defense function of the body, lead to tumor anemia, increase the burden on organs, and damage organ function (Federico, 2024). Furthermore, malnutrition may lead to treatment interruption, dose reduction, and reduced tolerance to treatment, thereby affecting the overall treatment effect (Camil Ciprian et al., 2024).
Nutrition refers to the process of an organism obtaining and utilizing nutrients to maintain life, growth, and health. It encompasses the ingestion of food and fluids containing essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and water, which are crucial for the physiological functions of the body. Adequate nutrition is essential for supporting numerous physiological functions, including metabolism, energy production, immune response, tissue regeneration, and growth. Malnutrition refers to an imbalance between nutritional intake and the body’s needs for growth, development, and health maintenance. Malnutrition can lead to various diseases, such as osteoporosis (Nan et al., 2024), inflammatory bowel disease (Lea et al., 2024), fatty liver disease related to metabolic disorders (Jaideep et al., 2024), and the ability of diet to regulate the composition of the host’s microbiota (Jaideep et al., 2024). Many cancer patients suffer from nutritional issues (A et al., 2024). Weight loss is associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer (Angela et al., 2024), and sarcopenia may increase the risk of colorectal cancer (Virginia et al., 2024). Preoperative malnutrition has adverse effects on patients undergoing duodenopancreatectomy (Alvarez et al., 2024). At the same time, adjusting the nutritional status has an impact on tumor prognosis. For example, a prebiotic fiber mixture can counteract intestinal microbial dysbiosis induced by the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (Alvarez et al., 2024), and it may also predict tumor prognosis, such as using albumin to predict the prognosis of patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer (Toshiya et al., 2024).
In cancer treatment, radiotherapy and nutrition are intricately linked, yet a bibliometric analysis of their publications is lacking. Bibliometrics quantifies & analyzes literature to uncover trends, impacts, & correlations, informing academic decisions, policies, & evaluations. Hence, a 20-year bibliometric study assesses the current state & hotspots in this field, comprehensively showcasing the global research landscape on radiotherapy & nutrition, while anticipating emerging trends & milestones.