Medical Nutrition Therapy or Standard Care in Treating Patients With Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, or Stage III or Stage IV Prostate Cancer

The Influence of Changes in Body Composition on Quality of Life in Cancer Patients and The Impact of Medical Nutrition Therapy by a Registered Dietitian on Outcome

This is a two-part study. Part I is an observational study. Part II is a randomized clinical trial to see how well medical nutrition therapy works compared with standard care in treating patients with lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, or stage III or stage IV prostate cancer.

In Part II of the study, patients are stratified according to tumor type (pancreatic vs lung vs prostate). Patients are then randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

• Arm I (Medical nutrition therapy): intervention with a registered dietitian or nutrition professional. MNT is a cyclical process which includes nutrition assessment, intervention, follow-up, and reassessment. Patients will receive a total of three (3) visits with the dietitian over a six-week period with follow-up during weeks 2-3 and weeks 6-9 based on their treatment schedule.
• Arm II (standard care): Standard nutritional care includes the National Cancer Institute's booklet "Eating Hints for cancer patients: before, during & after treatment".

In both arms, patients' weight, fat free mass, and Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment Score (PG-SGA) score will be assessed before, during, and after the intervention. The PG-SGA includes a patient report of symptoms and a healthcare professional assessment of medical, metabolic, and physical parameters.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosed with one of the following:

  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Stage III or IV prostate cancer

• Undergoing treatment at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey

  • Are undergoing chemotherapy (part 2 only)

• Has lost ≥ 5% of their usual body weight in the previous 6 months (part 2 only)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Life expectancy > 60 days
• Must speak and read English
• Accessible in person or by phone for completing questionnaires
• Not pregnant or nursing

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics