Prognostic nutrition factors in lung cancer patients.

To examine the effect of nutritional support via intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) on tolerance, response, and survival, a prospective study of patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung receiving chemotherapy with or without IVH was undertaken. Results indicated a more favorable survival in patients with a greater than 74% initial triceps skinfold and a less than 4% initial weight loss. The effect of IVH was reflected by greater weight gain in those patients receiving nutritional support 10 days prior to chemotherapy or simultaneous with chemotherapy; however, IVH had no significant advantage to improved survival or response.