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

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of de novo cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, including the following: * Oral cavity * Larynx * Oropharynx * Hypopharynx * Planned surgical excision of tumors with opening of the mucous membranes, with or without immediate reconstruction by myocutaneous pedicle flap or free-bone graft * Planned adjuvant enteral nutritional regimen lasting at least 7 days post-operatively PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ANC \> 1.8 x 10\^9/L * Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL * Transaminases ≤ 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin ≤ 3 times ULN * Creatinine 70-250 μmol/L * Urea ≤ 1.5 times ULN * Glucose \< 1.5 g/L * Sodium \< 145 mmol/L * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No psychological, social, geographical, or familial reasons prohibiting follow-up * No insulin-dependent diabetes * No severe psychiatric illness PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No head and neck surgery for cancer within the past year * No prior oral components of immunonutrition * No prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to head and neck