Chemotherapy and nutrition: a complex relation

Authors

  • Noeli Marchioro Liston Andrade Ferreira Universidade Federal de São Carlos
  • Ägatha Scarpa
  • D’Agima Alves da Silva

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/ree.v10.46780

Keywords:

Neoplasm, Chemotherapy, Nutrition Surveys, Nursing

Abstract

The chemotherapy uses chemical compounds with the goal of eradicating tumors, but for lack of specificity for tumor cells attacks also normal cells, bringing side effects mainly to the gastrointestinal tract, causing damage to the nutritional conditions of the customer, generating deficiencies and unpleasant symptoms. This study descriptive and exploratory, held in 2006 in a council of the State of Sao Paulo/Brazil aimed at to identifie the nutritional changes made by the patient with cancer in chemotherapy treatment, using interview and semi-structured questionnaire. Were found 13 adults aged over 50 years, accompanied by various types of cancer in treatment. With the use of chemotherapy the patients had nausea, anorexia, fatigue and discomfort with the smell of food, cold, and fast feeling of satiety, dry mouth and mucositis. The assessment revealed: alopecia, stained nails, skin discords and dehydrated, changes in physical abilities to work and loss of weight in most of them. Patients reported low water intake, reduction in food intake, intolerance to meat and beans, increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and juices. These data indicates that the chemotherapy treatment works for the modification of the patient with cancer nutritional pointing to the need for early intervention aimed at the success of the therapeutic imbalances.

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Author Biographies

Noeli Marchioro Liston Andrade Ferreira, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Enfermeira, Professor Associado do Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de São Carlos. E-mail: noeli@power.ufscar.br

Ägatha Scarpa

Enfermeira. E-mail: agathascarpa@gmail.com.

D’Agima Alves da Silva

Enfermeira. E-mail: dagimaenf@yahoo.com.br

Published

2017-05-15

Issue

Section

Original Article