The Effect of Enteral Nutrition in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Literature Review

Abstract

Background: The gastrointestinal tract defines a wide integral system including all organs starting from the mouth and ending at the anus. With advances in science, diseases can be diagnosed early and benefits from treatment are more possible. On the other hand, the number of survivors after cancer increases with the prolongation of human life. While gastrointestinal tract cancers are among the most prevalent cancers both in the world and Turkey, their mortality rates are reported also to be high. Enteral nutrition is especially important in the prevention of mortality and morbidity in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. This review was performed to investigate the factors affecting enteral nutrition and nutrition in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Materials and Methods: 36 articles published in the last 5 years (2014 - 2019) were obtained in total by writing the key words “gastrointestinal tract cancer”, “nutrition”, “enteral nutrition” and “gastrointestinal system cancers” to various databases such as “Google Scholar”, “PUBMED” and “Web of Science”. 10 studies, full text of which can be accessed in Turkish and in English languages and which met the inclusion criteria, were examined as a result of the evaluation. Results and Conclusion: As a result of the literature reviewed, the effectiveness of enteral nutrition in patients with advanced-stage gastrointestinal system cancer may increase intestinal motility, reducing hospital stay, although it is seen to be useful in maintaining body mass index, In the large sample group, it is thought to be important to determine the nutritional product and nutritional time.