Cancer chemotherapy: with or without food?

Support Care Cancer. 2010 May:18 Suppl 2:S13-6. doi: 10.1007/s00520-009-0666-7. Epub 2009 Jun 1.

Abstract

Introduction: Over the past few years, new chemotherapy agents have emerged, and several are oral. This review attempts to highlight the challenges associated with the interactions between food and chemotherapy, both oral and intravenous.

Discussion: It provides tentative answers to three questions. Does oral chemotherapy bestow adverse effects derived from its oral administration, as related to food or taste? What instruction should health care providers give patients about food ingestion prior to prescribing oral chemotherapy? How should we counsel patients about eating before intravenous chemotherapy?

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Nutritional Support*
  • Patient Education as Topic

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents