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Nutritional support and parenteral nutrition in cancer patients: an expert consensus report

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Abstract

Background

Malnutrition is a frequent medical problem of cancer patients that negatively impacts their quality of life.

Methods

A multidisciplinary group of experts in Medical Oncology, Pharmacy, and Nutrition convened to discuss the management of the nutritional support in cancer patients.

Results

Of the 18 questions addressed, 9 focused on nutritional support, 5 were related to parenteral nutrition (PN) and 4 about home PN (HPN). The panel of experts recommends using nutritional screening routinely, at diagnosis and throughout the disease course, for detecting the risk of malnutrition and, if it is positive, to perform a complete nutritional assessment, to diagnose malnutrition. Currently, there are different screening tools and methods that allow us to detect nutritional risk. Based on the evidence and experience, the panel stated that PN is indicated mainly when it is not possible to use the digestive tract and/or oral feeding and/or enteral nutrition is not sufficient or possible. The nutritional needs of the cancer patients, except in those cases where individualized measures are required, should be considered similar to healthy individuals (25–30 kcal/kg/day). The panel considers that the nutritional monitoring of the cancer patient should be multidisciplinary and adapted to the characteristics of each center. Additionally, the objective of the HPN is to improve or maintain the nutritional status of a patient at home.

Conclusions

This document seeks to lay down a set of recommendations and to identify key issues that may be useful for the nutritional management of cancer patients.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Baxter Ltd. for their collaboration with the logistics of the meetings and the assistance with the medical writing. It should be noted that Baxter Ltd. was not involved in the preparation of the recommendations nor did the company in any way influence the scientific consensus reached. Editorial assistance in the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Antonio Martinez (MD) of Ciencia y Deporte Ltd.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Calle Dr. Fedriani, 3, 41009, Sevilla, Spain

    J. A. Virizuela

  2. Endocrinology and Nutritional Department, Gregorio Marañón University General Hospital, Madrid, Spain

    M. Camblor-Álvarez

  3. Dietetic and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Endocrinology and Nutritional Department, Infanta Cristina University Hospital, Badajoz, Spain

    L. M. Luengo-Pérez

  4. Department of Medical Oncology, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain

    E. Grande

  5. Endocrinology and Nutritional Department, Prince of Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

    J. Álvarez-Hernández

  6. Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain

    M. J. Sendrós-Madroño

  7. Department of Medical Oncology, Asturias Central University Hospital, Oviedo, Spain

    P. Jiménez-Fonseca

  8. Pharmacy Department, Son Espases University Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    M. Cervera-Peris

  9. Endocrinology and Nutritional Department, Lozano Blesa Clinic University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain

    M. J. Ocón-Bretón

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  1. J. A. Virizuela
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  2. M. Camblor-Álvarez
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  3. L. M. Luengo-Pérez
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Correspondence to J. A. Virizuela.

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Virizuela, J.A., Camblor-Álvarez, M., Luengo-Pérez, L.M. et al. Nutritional support and parenteral nutrition in cancer patients: an expert consensus report. Clin Transl Oncol 20, 619–629 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-017-1757-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-017-1757-4

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