Parenteral Nutrition Support for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Parenteral Nutrition Support for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer. A Phase II Study.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the additional nutrition support is improving the nutritional status of patients suffering cancer caxechia or not.

To examine the impact of additional parenteral nutrition (APN) we prospective evaluated 32 pts suffering APC and progressive cachexia. This assay is based on a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a proven tool for nutritional investigation in patients with chronic disease. Phase angle, determined by BIA, has been found to be a prognostic indicator in several chronic and malignant conditions, such as HIV, liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• histological proved pancreatic cancer
• progressive cancer cachexia
• refractive to enteral supplementation
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• prefinal status
• septic disease