Lean body mass gain in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer treated perioperatively with a protein- and energy-dense nutritional supplement containing eicosapentaenoic acid.
BACKGROUND
Cancer-associated weight loss may be mediated by an inflammatory response to cancer. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may suppress this response.


METHODS
Beginning no later than 2 weeks before surgery, patients with head and neck cancer and with weight loss, who were undergoing major resection with curative intent consumed a protein- and energy-dense nutritional supplement containing EPA from fish oil, in addition to usual diet or tube feed.


RESULTS
Thirty-one subjects consumed an average of 1.8 containers/day before surgery and 1.5/day during hospitalization (per container: 300 kilocalories, 16 grams (g) protein, 1.08 g EPA). Seventy percent of subjects maintained or gained weight before hospital admission. Mean weight gain was 0.71 kg at admission and 0.66 kg at discharge. At discharge lean body mass increased by 3.20 kg (p < .001) and fat decreased by 3.19 kg (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
An EPA-containing protein- and energy-dense nutritional supplement may help increase perioperative lean body mass in patients with head and neck cancer-related weight loss.
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Internal Medicine Morehouse, Columbus, Ohio, USA. harrison.weed@osumc.edu
Harrison G
HG
Weed
Maree L
ML
Ferguson
Robin L
RL
Gaff
Deborah S
DS
Hustead
Jeffrey L
JL
Nelson
Anne C
AC
Voss
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D002100:Cachexia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid