Nutrition and malignant disease: implications for surgical practice

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nutrition Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Malignant diseases frequently cause weight loss and malnutrition.
• Nutritional support aims to improve patient outcomes by reversing weight loss and reducing morbidity and mortality.
• The role of nutrition in cancer management is a critical area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of nutritional supplementation on morbidity and mortality in cancer patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.
• To assess how nutritional support affects host defense mechanisms.
• To examine the influence of nutrients on tumor cell growth.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on nutritional support in cancer patients.
• Evaluation of studies focusing on perioperative, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy contexts.
• Analysis of research on specific nutrients and their effects on cancer.

Main Results:

• Perioperative nutritional support for at least 10 days reduces morbidity and mortality in severely malnourished patients (low serum albumin, significant weight loss).
• Parenteral nutritional support shows no benefit for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy regarding tumor response or survival.
• Specific nutrients like arginine, essential fatty acids, and ribonucleotides stimulate anti-tumor defenses and modulate tumor metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Perioperative nutritional support is beneficial for specific malnourished cancer patients.
• Nutritional supplementation does not enhance outcomes for patients on chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
• Targeted nutrients and dietary manipulation present promising avenues for innovative cancer management.