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Parenteral Nutrition Techniques in Cancer Patients¹

Department of Surgery [S. J. D., B. V. M., E. A. S., E. M. C.], The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, The University of Texas System Cancer Center, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, and Hermann Hospital/The University Hospital [D.M.E.], Houston, Texas 77030

If a patient is expected to respond optimally to one or more forms of oncologic therapy, he should simultaneously be in the best possible nutritional and metabolic condition. When the alimentary tract cannot be used effectively for feeding cancer patients, parenteral nutrition can be lifesaving. Moreover, patients who are poor candidates or noncandidates for any antineoplastic therapy because of their debility or cachexia can be converted to reasonable candidates following a course of i.v. hyperalimentation. This i.v. hyperalimentation can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality of cancer patients without stimulating tumor growth when applied conscientiously according to the established principles and techniques and when integrated with specific tumor therapy.

With the use of ambulatory or home hyperalimentation techniques, normal nutritional status can be restored or maintained during prolonged periods of antineoplastic therapy on a practical and relatively economical outpatient basis. It is anticipated that specific nutrient substrate formulas and parenteral therapy techniques will be developed to maintain optimal host nutrition while adversely affecting the neoplasm.

¹ Presented at the Conference on Nutrition and Cancer Therapy, November 29 to December 1, 1976, Key Biscayne, Fla.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical School, 6400 West Cullen Street, Houston, Texas 77030.