The importance of nutrition in cancer
Nutrition plays an integral role in the patient cancer treatment journey. At each stage, patients’ nutritional needs can vary distinctly and if unrecognised or unmet, nutritional problems can persist. It is the aim of Nestlé Healthcare Nutrition to provide nutritional solutions every step of the way.
Malnutrition and weight loss in cancer
The incidence of malnutrition in oncology patients ranges from 40-80% and is more common in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies or cancers of the head and neck . Malnutrition impairs the immune system, wound healing and increases the risk of infection.
Weight loss is a common feature at diagnosis and at onset of treatment in patients with certain cancers , for example:
- 60% of people with lung cancer and 80% with stomach, pancreatic or oesophageal cancer have lost a significant amount of weight at diagnosis
- 70% of patients with oesophageal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers recorded weight loss at the onset of chemotherapy
Clinical significance of weight loss in cancer patients
Weight loss is an independent predictor of decreased survival in cancer patients, as little as 5% weight loss at diagnosis has a significant effect on long term survival rate4. It is also associated with impairment of physical function, increased psychological distress and quality of life.
Research carried out by Andreyev et al (1998) with patients undergoing chemotherapy for GI malignancies, found that those with weight loss had a 43% increased risk of death compared to patients without weight loss4.
Of further clinical significance is that patients with weight loss undergoing chemotherapy receive on average one month less treatment compared to patients without weight loss4.