This patient summary on nutrition is adapted from the summary written for health professionals by cancer experts. This and other credible information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, and ongoing clinical trials, is available from the National Cancer Institute. Cancer and its treatment can lead to malnutrition, a common problem in cancer patients. This brief summary describes the effects of cancer and its therapy on nutrition, as well as methods for maintaining nutrition in cancer patients. Overview Cancer patients frequently have problems getting enough nutrition.
Malnutrition is a major cause of illness and death in cancer patients.
Malnutrition occurs when too little food is eaten to continue the body's functions. Progressive wasting, weakness, exhaustion, lower resistance to infection, problems tolerating cancer therapy, and finally, death may result. Anorexia may occur early in the disease or later, when the tumor grows and spreads. Anorexia is the most common cause of malnutrition and deterioration in cancer patients. Cachexia is a wasting syndrome characterized by weakness and a noticeable continuous loss of weight, fat, and muscle.