Long-term nutrition alterations after surgery for gastrointestinal cancers.

Abstract

As surgical and adjuvant therapies for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers improve in safety and efficacy, extended survival in these diseases is becoming commonplace. Surgically induced nutrition alterations are common side effects of treatment and often debilitating. This review is intended for multidisciplinary teams to better understand the postoperative anatomy, physiology, and nutrition morbidity of GI cancer operations. We have arranged this paper by the anatomic and functional changes to the GI tract intrinsic to common cancer operations. Operation-specific long-term nutrition morbidity is detailed, along with the underlying pathophysiology. We have included the most common and effective interventions for the management of individual nutrition morbidities. Finally, we highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of these patients over the oncologic surveillance period and beyond.