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Alterations of nutritional status: impact of chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Journal Article · · Cancer; (United States)
OSTI ID:5793147
;
The nutritional status of a cancer patient may be affected by the tumor, the chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy directed against the tumor, and by complications associated with that therapy. Chemotherpay-radiotherapy is not confined exclusively to malignant cell populations; thus, normal tissues may also be affected by the therapy and may contribute to specific nutritional problems. Impaired nutrition due to anorexia, mucositis, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may be dependent upon the specific chemotherapeutic agent, dose, or schedule utilized. Similar side effects from radiation therapy depend upon the dose, fractionation, and volume irradiated. When combined modality treatment is given the nutritional consequences may be magnified. Prospective, randomized clinical trials are underway to investigate the efficacy of nutritional support during chemotherapy-radiotherapy on tolerance to treatment, complications from treatment, and response rates to treatment. Preliminary results demonstrate that the administration of total parenteral nutrition is successful in maintaining weight during radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but that weight loss occurs after discontinuation of nutritional support. Thus, longterm evaluation is mandatory to learn the impact of nutritional support on survival, diease-free survival, and complication rates, as well as on the possible prevention of morbidity associated with aggressive chemotherapy-radiation therapy.
Research Organization:
Stanford Univ., CA
OSTI ID:
5793147
Journal Information:
Cancer; (United States), Journal Name: Cancer; (United States) Vol. 43:5; ISSN CANCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

550603 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CHEMOTHERAPY
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
EDEMA
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GLANDS
IRRADIATION
LOCAL IRRADIATION
MEDICINE
MUCOUS MEMBRANES
NAUSEA
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORAL CAVITY
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SALIVARY GLANDS
SENSE ORGANS
SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS
TEETH
THERAPY
ULCERS