Nutrition in Oncology: Overcoming Challenges to Optimize the Patient Journey from Prehabilitation to Rehabilitation

Patients with cancer are likely to be more malnourished than patients treated in other specialties, with many remaining at high nutritional risk prior to surgery or medical treatment. Malnutrition in patients with cancer can result in suboptimal clinical outcomes, and is linked to post-operative complications and reduced mortality, along with increased dose-limiting and treatment side effects. In addition, many medical treatments have gastrointestinal side effects which can further compromise the nutritional status of the patient. However, early patient assessment and proactive management of malnutrition using medical nutrition can have a positive impact on a patient's physiological parameters and functional status, while helping to support their metabolic and dietary needs during their cancer journey. A European Masterclass for Nutrition in Oncology which brought together 50 practitioners, took place on 10-11 October 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic, and aimed to provide an overview of nutrition as the cornerstone of cancer treatment, the use of nutritional prehabilitation in surgery and medical oncology, and optimization of the patient journey with nutrition, including rehabilitation. This paper provides a summary of the content presented, along with insights gained from attendees during four interactive workshop sessions.