What Is Malnutrition in Cancer Patients? Prevention and Treatment of Inadequate Nutrition

Cancer is not only a serious health problem that threatens people's lives but also a broad condition that adversely affects patients' nutritional status and overall quality of life. Nutritional deficiencies can significantly affect disease progression and treatment effectiveness. Understanding and preventing malnutrition (inadequate nutrition) in cancer patients is therefore vital.

The Importance of Malnutrition in Cancer

Research suggests that malnutrition (inadequate nutrition) may affect 30% to 85% of cancer patients and account for 10% to 20% of deaths in these patients.

Inadequate nutrition in cancer has been associated with:

• Fewer treatment options,
• A reduced response to treatment,
• More treatment-related adverse effects,
• Longer hospital stays and
• A worse disease course.

During cancer treatment, treatment-related adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, taste changes and loss of appetite have caused inadequate nutrition and sarcopenia (muscle loss) in patients.

A Recent Study

According to a study at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York, the highest rates of inadequate nutrition

• occurred in upper gastrointestinal,
• Head and neck,
• Lung,
• Haematological (leukaemia-lymphoma),
• Gynaecological (female-specific) and
• Colorectal cancers.

The US National Cancer Institute (US-NCI) recommends assessing patients' nutritional status before cancer treatment begins and continuing assessments throughout treatment.

While chemotherapy, radiotherapy and many cancer drugs cause adverse effects that are catabolic for the body, food and fluids rebuild the body, preparing it for the next step of treatment.

It is important for cancer patients' nutritional status to be monitored regularly, ideally by an "oncology dietitian". This approach can more effectively support:

• Management of treatment-related signs and symptoms,
• Active support for patients in maintaining strong, healthy body tissue,
• Maintenance or improvement of energy and protein intake,
• Reduction of risk in patients with poor treatment tolerance,
• Minimisation of metabolic imbalances,

And, ultimately, improvement of patients' quality of life.

Conclusion

Cancer patients' nutritional status can significantly affect treatment success and their overall quality of life. The risk of inadequate nutrition therefore needs to be recognised and addressed as quickly as possible. Appropriate medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education may improve patients' treatment tolerance, quality of life and overall health outcomes.