Clinical nutrition, body composition and oncology: A critical literature review of the synergies

Purpose of the researchReview the oncology and clinical nutrition literature to highlight the synergies between those two subjects. This review focuses on diagnostic of lean body wasting and the recent improvements in measuring body composition to monitor the response to nutrition during optimal oncology treatment.Principal resultsNutrition support in cancer patients has made major progresses. A variety of advanced tools allow monitoring and explaining weight loss, body composition changes and metabolic alterations. Body composition is more accurate than body surface area to determine chemotherapeutic drug dosing. As with any therapeutic approach, clinical nutrition has a better risk-benefit ratio if implemented when indicated rather than used routinely. Body composition measurements are helpful for a better understanding of the host-tumor interactions during cancer treatment and nutrition support.Major conclusionsNutrition support based on body composition analysis may significantly contribute to optimize current oncology treatment and clinical outcomes.

► Body composition should replace weight loss to define the nutritional status.
► Obesity and cachexia may occur simultaneously.
► Sarcopenia is the only significant predictor of chemotoxicity.
► Body composition techniques have a demonstrated positive impact in cancer treatment.
► Nutrition is not a routine care, needs to be patient-specific and fine-tuned.