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The value of nutrition support in children with cancer
Author(s) -
Rickard Karyl A.,
Coates Thomas D.,
Grosfeld Jay L.,
Weetman Robert M.,
Baehner Robert L.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19861015)58:8+<1904::aid-cncr2820581419>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - medicine , malnutrition , parenteral nutrition , cancer , intensive care medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , disease , pediatrics , nursing
A positive stance towards nutrition support of the child with cancer assures potential for normal growth, development, and quality of life during extended oncologic treatment. Data from recent studies of children with cancer (advanced neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor) demonstrate the importance of integrating nutrition staging, assessment, and support into treatment protocols. Patients with solid tumors and lymphomas who are malnourished at diagnosis have a poor outcome when compared to nourished counterparts. Enteral nutrition (intensive nutrition counseling and favorite, nutritious foods) is effective in low nutritional risk groups but ineffective in preventing or reversing protein‐energy malnutrition in high nutritional risk groups. For high‐risk groups, central parenteral nutrition is a relatively short‐term, but important, support measure which allows children to grow despite extended periods of intense oncologic treatment. The patient's nutritional course may affect bone marrow suppression and the ability to tolerate aggressive chemotherapeutic treatment. Although treatment tolerance may be improved with nutrition support, adequacy of primary oncologic treatment outweighs other supportive factors as a determinant of ultimate survival.