Nutritional support of the elderly cancer patient: long-term nutritional support.

Elderly cancer patients account for a growing part of home artificial nutrition patients. Long-term enteral or parenteral nutrition in the older patient with cancer is prescribed for sequels after treatment (dysphagia, intestinal failure) or for bowel obstruction. Home artificial nutrition should benefit from a specialized follow-up. For patients out of therapy, the goal of nutritional care is to optimize quality of life and comfort.