Nutrition in cancer therapy: Overview for the cancer patient

Despite significant advances in oncologic treatment, cancer-associated metabolic derangements largely remain poorly understood and are often neglected in cancer care. Cancer cachexia and metabolic changes exhibited by neoplastic cells pose formidable barriers to improving outcomes and quality of life. Although cancer has traditionally been viewed as a proliferative disease caused by genetic mutations, newer perspectives suggest that it is primarily a metabolic disease. This paper discusses the etiology of cachexia and sarcopenia and nutrition interventions that can address these wasting disorders. The role of inflammation in cancer and the methods for preventing and resolving inflammation with nutrition intervention are also explored. Several nutrition recommendations aimed at overcoming cachexia, resolving inflammation, and improving cancer outcomes are provided based on current literature. This manuscript selected only a few areas on which to focus and is not all-inclusive of the expansive literature available on the topic of cachexia.