Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Tumors

Analysis of Nutritional Status in Patients With Malignant Tumor Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Malnutrition and loss of muscle mass frequently occur in patients undergoing chemotherapy and can negatively effect therapy outcome. Especially patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract are often affected by malnutrition. Therefore, this study aims to examine changes in nutritional status of patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract during chemotherapy. Findings of this study will help to improve nutritional treatment of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Malnutrition and sarcopenia are common complications in patients with malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. During chemotherapy there is a high risk of further impairment of nutritional status due to anorexia, nausea, emesis and other gastrointestinal conditions that adversely impact food assimilation or absorption. Findings on changes of nutritional status during chemotherapy are scarce but of paramount importance for adequate nutrition therapy. Therefore, this study aims to provide a detailed description of changes in nutritional status of patients with a malignant condition of the gastrointestinal tract during chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with initial diagnosis of a malignant condition of the gastrointestinal tract planned to receive cytostatic treatment.
• ongoing cytostatic treatment of a known malignant condition of the gastrointestinal tract

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy
• history of any other malignant tumor disease
• inability to provide consent