Nutrition status in patients with stomach cancer before a surgery

Background : Malnutrition is a frequent consecution of cancerous disease, especially upper digestive cancer, including stomach cancer. The consecutions of malnutrition and a surgical injury are disorder of immune system and consequently the increased risk of occurrence of postoperative complications. Therefore, recognition of malnutrition in patients in order to correct nutrition disorders in the perioperative period in malnourished patients has got significant influence on decreasing complications in the postoperative period.

Aim of the study : The assessment of nutritional status in patients with stomach cancer classified to a surgery.

Material and methods : The study included 99 patients with stomach cancer before the planned surgery. Nutritional status was evaluated with the screening method developed by Szczygieł on the basis of Thorsdottir. This test assesses percentage body mass loss, serum albumin concentration, the total count of peripheral blood lymphocytes, and measurement of fat mass and fat-free body mass.

Results : In patients with stomach cancer occurs percentage loss of body weight, reduction of serum albumin concentration, reduction of the total number of leukocytes and malnutrition on the basis of nutrition interview.

Conclusions : Malnutrition in slight or moderate degree has been recognized in 30% of patients classified to a surgery due to stomach cancer.