Nutritional assessment in patients with esophageal, stomach and colorectal cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition in patients suffering colorectal, esophageal or stomach cancer has been scarcely studied. Inadequate nutrient intake is probably the principal factor. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients at the beginning of the specific treatment through the use of anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Material and Methods: Body weight (w, kg), height (h, m) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (w/h2, kg/m2) were determined in 32 adult patients who attended the Service of Gastroenterology of Carlos G. Durand Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Blood samples were collected from fasting patients. Specific plasma protein fractions potentially useful for nutrition studies (albumin, transthyretin (TTR), transferrin, C3c, C4c and Apo lipoprotein B (ApoB)) were measured by single radial immunodiffusion technique on agar gel layers (Diffu-Plate Biocientífica S.A., Argentina and Binding Site, UK). Results: We observed a statistically significant decrease in the plasma concentration of transferrin, apoB, C4c and TTR when data were compared with reference values (Dunnett’s test). 
This behavior suggests that the patients studied present nutritional disorders, with an increase in plasma albumin which points out to a hemoconcentration status. The BMI was compatible with an adequate nutritional status. Conclusions: The biochemical markers showed differences between patients with different types of cancer; patients suffering esophageal or stomach cancer seemed to present a profound depressed nutritional status.