Esophageal cancer patients can benefit through supplemental parenteral nutrition

The findings of a recent study indicate that supplemental parenteral nutrition can be  helpful in maintaining optimal postoperative nutritional status, improved immune function and reduced inflammatory stress response in perioperative esophageal cancer patients.  

The results of the study were published in the journal, Medicine (Baltimore). It was a single-center randomized controlled study that included seventy-two patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer. They were divided equally into two groups- one with a combination of parenteral nutrition PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) and the other, a control group (total EN [TEN]). The PN + EN group received the combined nutritional supplement on postoperative days 4 to 8 while the control group was administered EN on postoperative days 1 to 8.

Before surgery, the prealbumin values of both groups were lower than normal, and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were above normal. The IgA, IgG and CD4 levels were lower than normal.

On postoperative day 7, prealbumin levels of the PN + EN group were significantly higher, the C-reactive protein level was significantly lower, and IgA, IgG, and CD4 were significantly higher, than that of the TEN group.

Based on the results of the study, supplemental parenteral nutrition can be beneficial for perioperative esophageal cancer patients in maintaining optimal nutritional status, improving immune function, and reducing the inflammatory stress response.