In a randomized trial of patients with severe AH treated with corticosteroids, we found that intensive enteral nutrition was difficult to implement and did not increase survival. However, low daily energy intake was associated with greater mortality, so adequate nutritional intake should be a main goal for treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01801332.

Nutritional interventions are not routine in patients undergoing oropharyngeal radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of early nutritional intervention. Forty-five outpatients undergoing radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer were prospectively managed by nutritionists (intervention group). In this group, a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was inserted before radiotherapy in any patient in whom at least one of the following applied: weight loss >10%; BMI <20 kg/m(2); age >70 years. Data were compared with those recorded in an historical control group of 45 paired patients. A PEG was inserted in 33 (74%) of the 45 patients in the intervention group, as against 5 (11%) of the 45 in the control group ( P<0.001). The mean weight loss and the frequency of hospital admission for dehydration were lower in the intervention group than in the control group ( P<0.01). In conclusion, early nutritional intervention, including PEG insertion, is feasible and efficient in preventing dehydration in oropharyngeal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. It may improve quality of life by decreasing the frequency of hospital admissions.

In an analysis of data from the CESAME cohort in France, patients with anal and/or perianal Crohn's disease have a high risk of anal cancer, including perianal fistula-related cancer, and a high risk of rectal cancer.

Enteral nutrition is efficient in preoperative phase to prevent postoperative complications. However evidence is insufficient to conclude that preoperative immune-enhancing enteral feeding provides any supplementary benefit by comparison with a standard diet. Our experience with the preoperative approach in head and neck cancer patients is reported in this paper.

No abstract