engleski

Effects of Nutritional Support in Patients with Colorectal Cancer During Chemotherapy

Introduction: Cancer cachexia occurs in significant number of patients (pts) with cancer. Benefit of nutrition support still remains unclear. We aimed to examine does nutritional support (counselling, oral liquids and megestrol acetate) has influence on nutritional status and symptoms prevalence in patients with colorectal cancer during chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively (group A) examined data of 173 patients who were treated in 3 years period without nutritional counselling. Prospectively (group B-215 patients) we offered to our patients individualized nutritional counselling, liquid supplementation, and megestrole acetate. Dietary intake (Nottingham Screening Tool Score) and body weight (Body Mass Index) were monitored before, during and after chemotherapy. The nutritional plan was modified when necessary. Results: During 6 years period we were treating 388 patients with colorectal cancer. Baseline, in both groups about 55% of patients were moderately or severe malnourished. In group A during chemotherapy 140 (80.9%) of patients decreased in weight gain 2-5 kg and 77 (44.5%) were severe malnourished on the end of chemotherapy. In group B, 184 (85.6%) of patients gain weight. The effect of nutritional support was most expressed in the group receiving megestrol acetate and nutritional counseling after 4 weeks of therapy. Average weight gain was 1.5 kg (0.6-2.8). Discussion / Conclusion: With nutritional support, our patients with colorectal cancer gain weight and had better Quality of Life during chemotherapy.

nutritional support; colorectal cancer; chemotherapy

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