Nutrition Management for Cancer Patients.
10.7599/hmr.2011.31.4.211
- Author:
Gyung Ah WIE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Clinical Nutrition, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea. gawie@ncc.re.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Neoplasms;
Malnutrition;
Nutrition Intervention;
Food Habits
- MeSH:
Appetite;
Constipation;
Diarrhea;
Fatigue;
Food Habits;
Humans;
Length of Stay;
Malnutrition;
Mouth;
Nausea;
Nutritional Status;
Pharynx;
Prevalence;
Vomiting
- From:Hanyang Medical Reviews
2011;31(4):211-219
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Malnutrition risk during a hospital stay may increase with higher rates of complications and longer lengths of hospital stay. The prevalence of malnutrition in cancer patients is higher than in general patients because of cancer-specific characteristics and treatment processes. Most cancer patients undergo surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or other treatments depending on the type and stage of cancer; these treatments are associated with various side effects. Among these side effects, loss of appetite, sore mouth or throat, dry mouth, change in taste, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue can negatively affect dietary intake. Patient malnutrition can increase infection risks, side effects of cancer treatment, and mortality rates. Therefore, it is important to evaluate nutritional status as early as possible and to treat the nutritional problems through nutrition intervention and prevention of malnutrition.
