Digestive toxicity in cancer treatments. Bibliographic review. Influence on nutritional status

Introduction: The cause of death can be attributed to malnutrition in 10-20% of cancer patients. Patients with sarcopenia present more chemotherapy toxicity, less progression-free time, less functional capacity and more surgical complications. Antineoplastic treatments have a high prevalence of adverse effects that compromise nutritional status. The new chemotherapy agents present direct toxicity on the digestive tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or mucositis). We present the frequency of adverse effects with nutritional impact of the most frequent chemotherapy agents used in the treatment of solid tumours, as well as strategies for early diagnosis and nutritional treatment.

Material and methods: Review of commonly used cancer treatments (cytotoxic agents, immunotherapy, targeted therapies) in colorectal, liver, pancreatic; lung, melanoma, bladder, ovary, prostate and kidney cancer. The frequency (%) of gastrointestinal effects, and those of grade ≥3 are recorded. A systematic bibliographic search was carried out in PubMed, Embase, UpToDate, international guides and technical data sheets.

Results: They are shown in the form of tables in which the drugs appear together with the probability that they present any digestive adverse effect and the percentage of serious adverse effects (Grade ≥ 3).

Discussion: Antineoplastic drugs are associated with a high frequency of digestive complications with nutritional repercussions, which can reduce QoL and cause death as a result of malnutrition or due to the limiting effect of suboptimal treatments, closing the malnutrition-toxicity loop. It is necessary to inform the patient about the risks and establish local protocols regarding the use of antidiarrheal drugs, antiemetics and adjuvants in the management of mucositis. We propose action algorithms and dietary advice that can be used directly in clinical practice, to prevent the negative consequences of malnutrition.