Parenteral Nutrition in Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

Excerpt

Parenteral feeding bypasses the enteral steps of digestion and absorption by delivering predigested nutrients directly to the bloodstream by way of central or peripheral venous access. Parenteral nutrition generally provides adequate amounts of glucose, amino acids, fat, electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements to simulate a diet that meets the patient's nutritional needs (1). The optimal amount of each nutrient that should be provided varies in different clinical situations. Most patients, however, are given 1 to 2 g/kg body weight of a high-quality protein daily in a crystalline amino acid solution. Non-protein calories are generally given in a mixture of dextrose

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments: The authors and the American College of Physicians thank the oncologists, internists, and surgeons who reviewed drafts of this manuscript.

Article and Author Information

  • * This paper was authored by Allison J. McGeer, MD; Allan S. Detsky, MD, PhD; and Keith O'Rourke, MBA; and was developed for the Health and Public Policy Committee by the Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee: Paul F. Griner, MD, Chairman; Charles C. Smith, Jr., MD; Paul Calabresi, MD; Lockhart B. McGuire, MD; Earl P. Steinberg, MD; Harold J. Sox, Jr., MD. Members of the Health and Public Policy Committee were: Richard G. Farmer, MD Chairman; Michael A. Nevins, MD; Charles E. Lewis, MD; Joseph E. Johnson III, MD; Paul F. Griner, MD; John M. Eisenberg, MD; F. Daniel Duffy, MD; Donald L. Feinstein, MD; C. S. Lewis, Jr., MD; Steven A. Schroeder, MD; Quentin D. Young, MD. This paper was approved by the Board of Regents on 17 June 1988.

  • The Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project (CEAP) of the American College of Physicians evaluates and informs College members and others about the safety and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and medical practices. Evaluation of technologies begins with a notice in Annals of Internal Medicine and ACP Observer inviting comments. Appropriate members of the Council of Medical Societies, the Council of Subspecialty Societies, other specialty societies and selected outside experts are asked to review draft manuscripts. The CEAP statements thus represent a synthesis of the literature and expert opinion and are intended to reflect the current state-of-the-art knowledge concerning a technology or a medical practice. Statements may be reconsidered as new information becomes available.

  • All previous CEAP statements and a subscription to future reports are now available in Clinical Efficacy Reports. This paper represents the sixth to be distributed in the 1988/89 subscription series.

  • Requests for reprints: Linda Johnson White, Director, Department of Scientific Policy, American College of Physicians, Independence Mall West, Sixth Street at Race, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1572.

« Previous | Next Article »Table of Contents