Exploring the Nutritional Experiences of Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Qualitative Study

Malnutrition is highly prevalent among patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy; however, its management remains delayed. A comprehensive understanding of patients' subjective perceptions of their nutritional experience is vital for delivering patient-centered nutritional care. This study aimed to explore the nutritional changes and nutritional support needs of patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy using a descriptive qualitative approach.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the principles of Consensual Qualitative Research. The reporting of this study strictly adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Twenty-two participants completed the interviews, ranging in age from 51 to 76 years; 3 were female, and 19 were male. Analysis revealed a thematic framework of nutritional experiences comprising four themes: diverse appetite change trajectories; complex dilemmas in nutritional management; gradual development of nutritional adjustment strategies; and an urgent need for professional nutritional management.

Our study provides evidence of three main appetite-change patterns among patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy: fluctuating, stable, and continuously declining. Patients may experience major nutritional challenges but gradually develop coping strategies after several chemotherapy cycles. Establishing a multidisciplinary team and fully developing the role of nurses to provide continuous nutritional management is key to alleviating nutrition-related symptoms throughout treatment.

This study helps nurses understand patients' experiences of nutritional changes from a dynamic perspective and their nutritional needs. As gatekeepers of patients' health, nurses have an urgent need for interdisciplinary training in nutritional management, which may provide valuable insights for the nutritional management of future patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy.