[Combined chemotherapy and elemental diet in advanced lung cancer patients]

The nutritional and immune status were studied in advanced lung cancer patients receiving combined chemotherapy and an elemental diet to test the effectiveness of the latter. Parameters such as skin tests, lymphocyte count, total protein and albumin values, body weight, and nitrogen balance were improved or maintained by the administration of the elemental diet. A better response to chemotherapy was achieved in patients receiving the elemental diet. Elemental diet support is suggested as a useful addition to chemotherapy in advanced lung cancer.