The Outcomes of Nutritional Support Techniques in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers

Abstract

Gastrointestinal cancers represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A significant issue regarding the therapeutic management of these patients consists of metabolic disturbances and malnutrition. Nutritional deficiencies have a negative impact on both the death rates of these patients and the results of surgical or oncological treatments. Thus, current guidelines recommend the inclusion of a nutritional profile in the therapeutic management of patients with gastrointestinal cancers. The development of digestive endoscopy techniques has led to the possibility of ensuring the enteral nutrition of cancer patients without oral feeding through minimally invasive techniques and the avoidance of surgeries, which involve more risks. The enteral nutrition modalities consist of endoscopy-guided nasoenteric tube (ENET), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal tube extension (PEG-J), direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided gastroenterostomy.

A multifaceted comparative analysis of image and video technologies in gastrointestinal endoscope and their clinical applications

“…There have been several recent advances in NJ feeding tube technology that have improved their safety, comfort, and effectiveness: developments in tube materials and manufacturing have led to the development of smaller and more flexible NJ feeding tubes ( 27 , 28 ). This allows for easier insertion and greater comfort for the patient, as well as a reduced risk of injury to the nasal and intestinal tissues.…”

“…In these cases, additional imaging modalities, such as X-ray or computed tomography (CT), may be necessary for accurate verification. Endoscopy-guided NJ feeding tube placement is an advanced technique that involves using an endoscope to guide the feeding tube into the small intestine (17,27). This technique is typically reserved for patients who have difficult or complicated anatomy, or who have had previous failed attempts at NJ tube placement.…”