Tumour regression following chemotherapy does not increase food intake

Forty-six patients with cancer of the breast, ovary or lung (small cell) were followed for 5 months after initiation of cyclical chemotherapy to examine if any changes in voluntary food intake or nutritional status were related to treatment response. The study showed a slight decrease in protein (P less than 0.05) and energy intake (not significant) at 3 months compared to pretreatment intakes in 31 patients with objective tumour regression. In 15 non-responding patients no changes were demonstrated. There were no changes in anthropometric status related to treatment response. Despite the lower protein intake in treatment responders p-albumin increased significantly compared to pretreatment value. Thus, initially successful chemotherapeutic treatment is not automatically followed by improved nutrition, and many of these patients are potential candidates for early dietary intervention.