ADVANCED UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER PATIENTS ON HOME PARENTERAL NUTRITION: CLINICAL FEATURES AND OUTCOME

Abstract

to analyze data collected by the Unit of Home Parenteral Nutrition in Oncology of a tertiary hospital for upper gastrointestinal disease cancer patients care. patients were assessed for HPN eligibility according to the guidelines. Median and range data of clinical and anthropometric features are shown. Duration of therapy and outcome are assessed. 139 patients (50 females, 89 males) were enrolled on HPN from 2015 to 2019. Age was 65 (30-90). Performance status KI was: 50 in 1%, 60 in 17%, 70 in 36%, 80 in 43%, 90 in 3% of cases. Peritoneal carcinosis was present in 44% of patients and metastatic disease in 47% of cases; 32% of patients undergoing chemioteraphy and 35% were treated with curative surgery, 7% with palliative surgery. Nutritional data at the beginning of HPN were: weight 57 (29-85) kg, BMI 20 (13-32) Kg/m2, weight loss -8 (+15-30) kg during 3 months before HPN beginning. HPN duration was 64 (5-1198) days. Outcomes were: exitus or worsening of general clinical conditions 67%, enough oral food intake or Home Enteral Nutrition 23%, shift to other care center 4%, ongoing therapy 6%. Patients with a HPN duration shorter than 60 days were 64 (46% of total patients). There was no statistically significant difference between all patients and the group with shorter HPN duration outcomes. HPN is a supportive therapy for advanced upper gastrointestinal cancer patients when oral or enteral feeding is not feasible or is contraindicated. Our experience data confirm the adequacy of the selection criteria for HPN enrollment.