Condition Driven: Oncology
Maintaining good nutritional status and muscle mass is important for people with cancer who are undergoing treatment.1,2 Nutrition intervention has been shown to minimize treatment breaks in people with cancer and help improve outcomes.3-7 Get the nutrition you need to help your strength and energy.
Abbott Nutrition has developed therapeutic nutrition products that can help in the nutritional management of your patients before, during and after their cancer treatment.
Malnutrition in Cancer
Malnutrition is a significant nutritional issue that can develop with cancer and during cancer treatment.
One out of two cancer patients experience some nutritional deficit prior to receiving their diagnosis; 85% of patients experience malnutrition during cancer treatment.8,9 One study found that 79% of patients identified as malnourished were normal weight, overweight, or obese.4 Malnutrition, or a significant decline in nutritional status, is multifactorial and can cause weakness, fatigue, decreased quality of life, an inability to tolerate treatment, and increased mortality.8,10-12 Studies have shown up to 20% of patients die from the effects of malnutrition rather than from the cancer itself.11
Malnutrition can result from the disease process, the use of cancer therapies or both. Side effects related to common cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and surgery, are key contributors in promoting the deterioration in nutritional status. Nutrition screening is an integral part in providing nutrition care to patients with cancer. Automatic nutrition intervention in cancer care is recommended by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACSCC).13
Meeting the Nutritional Needs of your Patients with Cancer
Eating well is frequently a challenge because cancer and the side effects of treatment can impact dietary intake and, ultimately, nutritional status. People undergoing cancer treatment often need extra calories and nutrients, especially protein.14 Resting energy expenditure (REE) is often increased and can make it difficult to gain or maintain weight.14 Encouraging adequate calorie and protein intake is vital for maintaining and improving nutritional status.
Nutrition intervention pathways, including oral nutrition supplements, have been shown to improve outcomes in various cancer diagnoses.7,10-12,14
Supplemental Materials
Odelli Clinical Summary
In 2005, Odelli et al published a study in Clinical Oncology that measured the impact proactive nutritional intervention could have on decreased weight loss, reduced unplanned hospital admissions, reduced hospital length of stay, and higher treatment tolerance.
Dewys Clinical Summary
Dewys et al published a study in the American Journal of Medicine that measured the improvement in survival for oncology patients that had no weight loss relative to the survival of those with weight loss.
Marin-Caro Clinical Summary
In 2007, Caro et al published a study in Clinical Nutrition that detailed the impact early nutrition intervention could have on oncology patient outcomes.
Deutz Clinical Summary
In 2013, Deutz et al published a study in Clinical Nutrition that showed HMB was an effective nutritional intervention for preservation of muscle mass in healthy older adults that experienced prolonged immobility or bed rest.