Nutritional support in cancer patients.

This article will summarize the current nutrition strategies in cancer patients. A review of relevant studies dealing with nutrition in cancer patients is presented. Basic recommendations for feeding patients with malignancy are suggested. Early nutrition evaluation, assessment, and support should be instituted in the appropriate clinical setting. Use of specialized nutrition support is not indicated in well-nourished cancer patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy in whom adequate oral intake is anticipated. Severely malnourished patients need early nutrition support preoperatively. Postoperative nutrition support has to be initiated in a timely fashion depending on the disease process. An algorithm for decisions regarding administration of specialized nutrition support is proposed.