[General aspects concerning the intravenous feeding of cancer patients]

In order to obtain or maintain a good nutritional status in cancer patients, it is often necessary to perform intravenous nutrition. In summary, several studies have indicated that intravenous nutrition may be beneficial in association with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy in patients with cancer. More controlled studies, however, are required. There is no indication at the present time of any adverse effects of this method of treatment in relation to tumor growth. The general nutritional improvement in patients on intravenous nutrition increases the immunocompetence, resistance to radiation and cytostatic as well as the mood and quality of life of the cancer patients. In very broad terms this new intravenous nutrition therapy means that a cancer patient should not be left without specific cancer therapy because of starvation and its serious or even fatal complications.