Nutritional support in cancer patients

Abstract

The incidence of malnutrition in cancer patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) is significantly higher than in other patient groups. Hypermetabolism and increased energy requirements resulting from surgery further aggravate nutritional status in malnourished patients and increase the incidence of adverse events including infections, sepsis, wound dehiscence, tissue edema, decubitus and death. The estimation of nutritional status and nutritional needs, compensation for all energy requirements, including vitamin and mineral supplementation using parenteral, enteral or combination of both feeding techniques should become everyday practice in the ICU. Monitoring the success of treatment through laboratory test results and clinical status as well as early recognition of adverse effects of nutritional support minimize the frequency of complications resulting from nutritional therapy.