Cancer patients are malnourished, why?

Malnutrition is an alarming hidden challenge for cancer patients, seriously affecting quality of life and treatment effectiveness.

People receive medical examination and treatment at Oncology Hospital, Branch 2 (Thu Duc City) - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), malnutrition is a major challenge for cancer patients, especially in advanced stages. According to research, the rate of malnutrition in cancer patients ranges from 20-70%, depending on the type of cancer, stage of the disease and clinical condition.

This condition not only reduces quality of life, but also affects treatment effectiveness, increases the risk of complications and shortens life expectancy.

Mr. Dang Huy Quoc Thinh - President of the Vietnam Palliative Care Medicine Association, former Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital - said that in cancer, especially in the final stages, patients are exhausted and emaciated.

In addition to factors causing malnutrition such as insufficient nutrition intake, which can be due to anorexia, insufficient intake of necessary energy sources, food intolerance, mechanical obstructions such as esophageal stenosis, stomach stenosis, etc., emaciation is mainly caused by intermediate chemicals secreted massively from tumor cells, accelerating the process of muscle loss and fat loss, causing severe weight loss. This is the main cause of malnutrition and emaciation in cancer patients.

Dr. Tran Thi Anh Tuong - Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital - emphasized that a proper diet plays an important role in improving overall health, enhancing resistance, supporting treatment and restoring damaged tissue for cancer patients.

Malnutrition in cancer patients is closely related to poor prognosis, increased risk of infection, reduced treatment effectiveness and accelerated wasting. Therefore, adequate energy and protein supplementation is very important to maintain weight, improve physical condition and support recovery after treatment.

Cancer patients should eat some nutritious foods.

Dr. Tuong recommends that cancer patients should eat some nutritious foods. Specifically, poultry and fish are high-quality sources of protein that help protect muscle mass; nuts, whole grains, which are rich in energy and fiber, fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-benh-ung-thu-bi-suy-dinh-duong-vi-sao-2025032710421162.htm