Biography:

Prof. Noha Elsharnouby graduated from Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 1995, then she received her MBBCh in Anesthesia and Intensive Care, then appointed Associate Professor, then Professor of Anesthesia and Intensive Care in the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. Currently, she is Head of one of the Intensive Care Units in Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital. She received her diploma in Enteral and Parenteral Clinical Nutrition from the European Society of Enteral and Parenteral Clinical Nutrition in 2011. She is a member of various Egyptian societies, and training programs, and was a member in the educational committee in the Egyptian Medical Syndicate. She has published, both national and international, in the field of anesthesia and intensive care; and a reviewer of papers in some medical journals. She was also a board member of the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate.

Abstract:

Nutritional Therapy for Cancer Patients

Malnutrition is �A state of nutrition in which a deficiency or excess of energy, protein and other nutrients causes measurable adverse affects on tissue/body form, function and clinical outcome� (DOH, 2002) . An estimated up to 80% of advanced cancer patients have malnutrition (Poole & Froggatt, 2002). Malnutrition in cancer patients causes diminished tolerance of therapy, lower survival rates, diminished quality of life, longer hospitalization, and can increase morbidity and mortality and adverse outcome. There are four main causes: Decreased dietary intake, increased requirements, increased losses of nutrients, and impaired nutrient digestion/absorption.

Effect of malnutrition in cancer patients can cause weight loss and vitamin deficiency, impaired immune function, delayed wound healing and higher risk of pressure sores, muscle wasting and weakness, impairing respiratory function, cardiac function, mobility, increased risk of post op complications, apathy, depression, lethargy, tiredness, weakness. There is an estimated 20 percent of patients with cancer who die from effects of malnutrition rather than cancer itself.

Good nutrition can help cancer patients maintain weight, the body nutrient stores, improving quality of life, nutritional intervention should be considered as a supportive measure within the global, and oncology strategy. There are several defects in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism in cancer patients

Nutritional management includes screening, assessment, planning nutritional therapy and supplementation starting from food fortification, oral nutritional supplement, supplemental enteral or parenteral nutrition, and monitoring of the patient.

Immunopharmaconutrient has the ability to modulate the activity of the immune system by interventions with specific nutrients in amounts above those normally encountered in the diet. They can be used for cancer patients as glutamine, branched chain amino acids, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin and trace elements.