Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
07:42

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity

Published on: April 26, 2012

18.3K

The effect of chemotherapy on symptoms and nutritional status in children with cancer

Gülçin Özalp Gerçeker1, Büşra Güliz Yildirim2, Ayşe Arıcıoğlu Sülün3

  • 1Pediatric Nursing Department, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Nursing, Izmir, 35340, Turkey.

European Journal of Oncology Nursing : the Official Journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
|October 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children undergoing chemotherapy often face poor nutritional status and a high symptom burden. Malnutrition risk, assessed by STRONGkids, correlated significantly with increased symptoms and worsening Z-scores.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Symptom Management

Background:

  • Chemotherapy in children can significantly impact nutritional status.
  • Symptom burden is a critical factor affecting quality of life during cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of poor nutritional status in children receiving chemotherapy.
  • To assess the symptom burden experienced by these pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study involving 187 children (ages 7-18) in Izmir pediatric hematology-oncology units.
  • Utilized the Screening Tool for Risk of impaired Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS).

Main Results:

  • A significant proportion of patients (62%) were identified as high risk for malnutrition by STRONGkids.
  • Patients reported an average of 14.1 symptoms, with 43.9% being underweight.
  • Increased symptom incidence correlated with worsening Z-scores and higher STRONGkids malnutrition risk scores (p < .001).

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights a high prevalence of malnutrition risk among children undergoing chemotherapy.
  • Chemotherapy treatment is linked to the development of malnutrition.
  • Patients with higher malnutrition risk and severity experienced a greater symptom burden.
Abstract

Keywords:
CancerChemotherapyMalnutritionNutritionPediatricSymptom

More Related Videos

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting05:56

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Published on: June 21, 2024

1.0K
Important Endpoints and Proliferative Markers to Assess Small Intestinal Injury and Adaptation using a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis07:05

Important Endpoints and Proliferative Markers to Assess Small Intestinal Injury and Adaptation using a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis

Published on: May 12, 2019

5.9K

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.9K
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates...
246
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists01:27

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...
301
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:29

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
418
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
361
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:28

Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...
70