Supportive nutritional management of the patient with pancreatic cancer.

Progressive weight loss and nutritional deterioration are commonly found in the patient with pancreatic cancer. The combined effects of the central anatomic location of the pancreas, endocrine and exocrine hormonal insufficiency, and treatment toxicity place patients with pancreatic cancer at high risk for developing symptoms that affect their ability to consume and absorb adequate calories and protein. The use of standardized nutritional assessment and an algorithmic approach for nutritional intervention fosters determination of the patient's nutritional risk status early in the course of disease, fosters early detection of treatable symptoms that interfere with nutritional intake/absorption, and can assess the effect of nutritional interventions. Supportive nutritional efforts can decrease complications, shorten hospital stays, reduce costs, and improve the patient's sense of well-being.