Onkologie. 2021:15(1):15-20 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2021.003

Parenteral nutrition in oncology

Kamil Bezděk¹, Viktor Maňásek²

¹ Nutriční ambulance a ARO, Nemocnice Agel a Komplexní onkologické centrum Nový Jičín, a. s.

² Onkologické oddělení, Nemocnice Agel a Komplexní onkologické centrum Nový Jičín, a. s.

A cancer patient is at risk of malnutrition due to the disease itself as well as its management. Malnutrition and weight loss significantly affect the survival rate as well as (particularly in association with protein depletion) physical capacity, postoperative complications, and toxicity of chemotherapy. All modalities of nutritional intervention are used in managing malnutrition: dietary guidance; administration of agents with anticatabolic and anti-inflammatory potential; oral nutritional supplements (sip feeds); and enteral and parenteral nutrition. Physical activity is an integral component of the treatment as well. Parenteral nutrition, i.e. intravenous administration of nutrition, had been through periods of both uncritical optimism and scepticism in the past, and currently it can be said that if enteral or parenteral nutrition leads to stabilization of energy and nitrogen balance, the route of administration is not decisive. What is required, however, is correct indication, adequate dose, composition, route and duration of administration, and nursing care of very good quality. The issues of indications, clinical utilization, contraindications, complications, and monitoring of parenteral nutrition do not differ between patients with cancer and those with a benign disease. A dietitian nutritionist plays an important role in assessing a patient's nutritional status. He or she is qualified to precisely assess nutritional risks and subsequently recommend appropriate nutritional intervention.

Keywords: parenteral nutrition, malnutrition, chemotherapy.

Published: March 1, 2021  Show citation