Assessment of Oral Function and Food Product Preference in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Excellent

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Very good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Very good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Very good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Very good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Very good

Comments:

The Discussion offers a thorough and detailed analysis of the findings of the study; the other relevant studies are all taken into consideration, the implication of the findings are aptly discussed, providing guidance for future product evaluation, and the limitations of the study are clearly laid out. It concludes that considerations in meal preparation and food products during and following head and neck cancer therapy should recognize the differences in oropharyngeal function and pain, saliva function and taste or flavor recognition from the acute treatment phase to survivorship. 

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Very good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Very good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Very good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Very good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Very good

Comments: The following minor issues were noted –

·       In the 7^th sentence of the 2^nd paragraph of the Discussion, “sour and” must be replaced with “and sour”.

·       In the 1^st sentence of the 4^th paragraph of the Discussion, “identified” must be replaced with “identifying”.

·       In the last sentence of the 5^th paragraph of the Discussion, “TAs such” must be replaced with “Taste acuity such as”.

Further comments on the paper

Comments: This study assessed ten adult patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) during and following radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy for oral changes and their impact on diet and food product evaluation. The findings inferred that considerations in meal preparation and food products during and following HNC therapy should recognize oral and taste changes from the acute treatment phase to survivorship. This exploratory study is significant as it provides insight for diet and food product development for patients with HNC during and following treatment. However, the study is limited in its small sample size, lack of generalizability and limited subject compliance, and there is need for further research with a larger sample to develop guidelines for product development.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

If you have any questions and clarifications you can write to the journal.

Thanks,
Science Repository Team