[Home enteral nutrition of patients with terminal cancer]

Generally hospitalization is regarded as a prerequisite for patients with cancer who require terminal care. Recently, special attention has been directed to home care for these patients from the standpoints of patients quality of life (QOL) and health economics. In the case of home care for patients with terminal cancer, effective pain control, careful nutrition administration, psychological care for the patient and his/her family members and emergency care are indispensable. Due to the number and extent of these requirements, home care for terminal patients is not yet common. We have been promoting the adoption of home enteral nutrition as a method to meet the nutritional needs of patients with terminal cancer. In this report, we discuss home enteral nutrition focusing on its indication and methodology, as well as related problems and nutrition administration in the future.